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U.S. Air Force News

  • Air Force will get new bomber, upgrades to fighters

    The Air Force is looking to get a "next generation" long-range bomber by 2018, according to the commander of Air Combat Command. During the Air Force Association's 2006 Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 27, Gen. Ronald E. Keys, the ACC commander, told reporters the

  • Commissary agency: 15 years of service, 140 years of history

    The Defense Commissary Agency will mark its 15th anniversary Oct. 1.Congress and the Department of Defense created DeCA in 1991 by consolidating the military services' retail grocery operations into one organization. "With sales of over $5 billion, all 'at cost' to our customers, this agency

  • 23rd 'Flying Tigers' to become host wing at Moody

    The "Flying Tigers" will be brought back from the past as the 347th Rescue Wing will be redesignated as the 23rd Wing during a ceremony here at 8:23 a.m. Sept. 29. Brig. Gen. Blair E. Hansen, vice commander of 9th Air Force at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., will preside over the redesignation ceremony

  • Air Force undertaking force transformation initiatives

    The Air Force has changed direction in its effort to fulfill its legal requirements to organize, train and equip a flying force. During the Air Force Association's 2006 Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 27, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley explained how

  • AFMC vice commander testifies on new personnel system

    The recent implementation of the National Security Personnel System Spiral 1.1, at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., was the focus as Lt. Gen. Terry Gabreski, Air Force Materiel Command vice commander, spoke before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Sept. 20.It was the

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 28

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 28.In Afghanistan Sept. 27, Navy F/A-18Fs provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Gilan. The following close-air support requests supported NATO forces operating as

  • Ramstein team aids peacekeeping mission in Darfur

    Ramstein Airmen flew with a Botswana C-130 aircrew to the Darfur region Sept. 23 and 24 to support the African Union peacekeeping mission. Two C-130 Hercules crewmembers from the 86th Operations Support Squadron, aerial port Airmen from the 86th Air Mobility Squadron, and a force protection

  • Schriever Airmen assume GPS satellite responsibilities

    Airmen from the 1st Space Operations Squadron here assumed launch and early orbit responsibilities for Global Positioning System IIR-M 15 shortly after it lifted off Sept. 25 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The satellite's journey of 11,000 miles began as its Delta II rocket lifted off a

  • Secretary, chief reiterate need for new tanker

    The Air Force must start buying new tankers now since it will take decades to replace its aging KC-135 Stratotankers, the Air Force secretary said. Air Force Secretary Michael W. Wynne said the service cannot buy its next fleet of tankers -- as yet to be determined -- any faster than the Air Force

  • National Guard and Reserve mobilized as of Sept. 27

    This week, the Air Force announced an increase in the number of reservists on active duty in support of the partial mobilization. The Army, Navy and Marine Corps had a decrease. The Coast Guard number remained the same. The net collective result is 496 fewer reservists mobilized than last week. At

  • Special operations mission grows on several fronts

    The commander of Air Force Special Operations Command spoke at the 2006 Air Force Association Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 26 about the importance and growth of special operation forces. "We're growing on a lot of different fronts," said Lt. Gen. Michael W.

  • Support agencies ease deployed Airmen's return

    Family and friends welcomed the safe return Sept. 24 of several Airmen who were deployed in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. After spending time with their families, the Airmen returned to the base the next morning to process through a "reintegration" line at Laughlin's

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 27

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 27.In Afghanistan Sept. 26, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Mandagal Sufla. The following close-air support requests supported

  • AMC commander: Global mobility aircraft saving lives in Iraq

    Mobility aircraft in Iraq and Afghanistan are helping keep Soldiers, Airmen, Marines and Sailors out of harm's way. During the Air Force Association's 2006 Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 26, Gen. Duncan J. McNabb, Air Mobility Command commander, said C-130 Hercules

  • Japanese, U.S. Airmen share insights at tactics symposium

    Airmen from 5th Air Force here sponsored a tactics symposium Sept. 26 to 27, bringing together 30 representatives from the Japanese Air Self Defense Force and U.S. military components in Japan. A first of its kind, the event allowed captains and majors from operations-related specialties to discuss

  • 4th Corps Soldiers get lift from 386th AEW

    Pvt. 1st Class Michael Sirrine is on his first deployment but knows plenty about being in the desert. A native of Tuscon, Ariz., he noticed as soon as he arrived in Kuwait, "it's just like home, with less cactus." Before boarding an Air Force C-130 Hercules in early September for Balad, Iraq,

  • Servicemembers get chance to tell their side of story

    Members of the Department of Defense's "Why We Serve" speakers bureau team shared stories of their service with employees of USAA, a 22,000-strong military financial services company, here Sept. 25-26. Over the past three weeks, the DOD's "Why We Serve" team of servicemembers from all the armed

  • Sembach squadron maintains war reserves

    Airmen from the 435th Materiel Maintenance Squadron at Sembach Air Base, Germany, store, maintain, account and prepare an incredible amount of war reserve materiel needed to keep U.S. forces supplied. The materiel is stored at a massive central storage facility in Luxemburg, two collocated operating

  • New 'Port Dawgs' set up for success at Charleston AFB

    Members of the 437th Aerial Port Squadron here have found a unique way to get their Airmen trained smarter, faster and better -- it's called the Port Dawg University currently being taught at Charleston AFB. The Port Dawg University Program is "aerial port's way of streamlining everything to make

  • Dover AFB receives new maintenance trainer

    The Avionics Modernization Program, also known as AMP, is changing the way C-5 Galaxies are flown by streamlining the aircaft to emulate civilian aircraft.In addition to installing new communications and navigation panels, dials are being replaced with multi-function display units. These new AMP

  • Air Force Association conference under way

    The top Air Force leaders helped kick off the Air Force Association's annual Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition here with a ceremony honoring the association's history and contributions to the service, as well as remembering those currently serving in today's force. Secretary of the

  • New system streamlines Air Force sustainment funding

    In an unprecedented move that will radically simplify and streamline the Air Force sustainment funding system, Air Force Materiel Command will become the Air Force executive agent for programming, budgeting and execution for many of the Air Force's sustainment needs beginning Oct. 1. Money

  • Ramstein Airmen connect with Rwandan children

    Large smiles, chewing gum bubbles and high-fives were the scene Sept. 22 when Airmen from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, gave donated goods to orphans and school children here.The 787th Air Expeditionary Squadron, comprised of 20 Airmen from the 86th Airlift Wing, 86th Contingency Response Group, 86th

  • CENTAF releases airpower summaries for Sept. 23-25

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces have released the airpower summaries for Sept. 23 to 25.Sept. 23In Afghanistan Sept. 22, Navy F/A-18Fs conducted a strike against Taliban extremists near Lashkar Gah. The F/A-18Fs expended Guided Bomb Unit-12s on enemy targets. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and a B-1

  • Ramstein crew flies with Botswana into Darfur

    Ramstein Airmen flew with a Botswana C-130 Hercules crew to the Darfur region Sept. 23 and 24 to support the African Union peacekeeping mission. Two C-130 crewmembers from the 86th Operations Support Squadron, aerial porters from the 86th Air Mobility Squadron and a force protection specialist from

  • Servicemembers shine during NFL game

    The National Football League's Houston Texans honored American servicemembers during its Salute to the Military at the game against the Washington Redskins at Reliant Stadium here Sept. 24. Starting with pregame activities and throughout the game, military members were spotlighted as part of the

  • Fans share thoughts about military

    Among the sea of hundreds of tailgaters at the military appreciation day match up between the Houston Texans and the Washington Redskins at Reliant Stadium Sept. 24, a few fans shared their thoughts on the military. The game was designated as the Houston Texan's Salute to the Military by team

  • Airmen return home from Operation Iraqi Freedom

    More than 180 Airmen returned home to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Sept. 23 from their deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. While deployed the men and women of the 728th Air Control Squadron controlled and monitored Iraqi airspace, assisted close air support missions and directed tanker

  • Three Airmen awarded Bronze Star

    Three Airmen here were awarded the Bronze Star Medal recently in a ceremony at the base theater. The 20th Air Force commander, Maj. Gen. Thomas Deppe presented the awards to Senior Airman Charity Trueblood, Maj. Lawrence King and Capt. Jonathan Bennett for duties they performed while fighting the

  • Aircraft swap helps maintain mission-ready capabilities

    The 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing here replaced its entire F-16 Fighting Falcon fleet this month with aircraft from throughout the U.S. The aircraft swap was necessary to maintain a "healthy" force and warfighting capability, said Maj. Leah Fry, 332nd Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron

  • Spangdahlem Airmen return home from OEF

    Airmen from the 606th Air Control Squadron at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, returned home Sept. 22 after supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. The Airmen were at Kandahar Air Base, Afghanistan, supporting the war on terrorism.And while the Airmen are proud of their accomplishment during OEF, today

  • F-16 pilot returns safely following in-flight incident

    An F-16 Fighting Falcon from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., jettisoned two external fuel tanks during a mechanical malfunction on takeoff at about 1:30 p.m. Sept. 21 on a homeland defense mission. The control tower noticed smoke coming from the fighter aircraft and reported it to the pilot who then

  • AFIT's center creating distance learning products

    The Center for Directed Energy at the Air Force Institute of Technology is developing a suite of distance learning products focused at the pre-service and in-service directed energy professional. The first of these products that will be available is a distance learning format of the 32-hour laser

  • Airmen fly with Indian air force counterparts

    After several weeks of training with their Indian counterparts, Airmen from the 15th Airlift Wing got the chance to reverse their roles and fly with an Indian aircrew on their IL-76 medium range cargo jet. The aircrew's primary mission was to deliver members of the Indian army to Hawaii for a joint

  • Defense Department to review military awards program

    In an effort to provide clarity in awards standards across the military services, the Defense Department has begun a comprehensive review of military awards and decorations, a DOD official said here yesterday. This routine review will result in revision of DOD Instruction 1348.33-M, the Manual of

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 22

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 22. In Afghanistan Sept. 21, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, an MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle, Navy F/A-18 Hornets and Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided close air support for Coalition troops in

  • Airmen visit, share stories with veterans

    More than 30 Airmen from Andrews Air Force Base and Fort George G. Meade, Md., visited Charlotte Hall Veterans Home here Sept. 18.The group, who ranged in rank from airman to lieutenant colonel, spent time visiting and sharing stories with the veterans. "The visit was nice and relaxed," said Staff

  • Heroism earns Airman prestigious award

    An NCO from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., received the Keeper of the Flame Award Sept. 20 for his efforts in fighting the war on terrorism from the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.Tech. Sgt. Stephen Achey, a 682nd Air Support Operations Squadron senior fighter duty technician, received the award

  • U.S., Colombian governments work to to deter drug trafficking

    While there are thousands of Airmen deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in support of the much publicized and deliberate war against terrorism, there is another group of Airmen deployed to Colombia as part of a separate and almost invisible war altogether. This war is combating illegal air trafficking.

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 21

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 21.In Afghanistan Sept. 20, an Air Force B-1 Lancer and U.S. Marine Corps AV-8Bs provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Asmar. The B-1 expended a Guided Bomb

  • Upgraded KC-135 Stratotankers integral to joint force

    The Air Force's KC-135 Stratotanker fleet celebrates 50 years this month of enhancing fighter, bomber and cargo aircraft missions. The multi-role tanker's primary mission is to refuel Air Force, sister service and coalition aircraft, but it also fills other jobs, including airlifting cargo,

  • Converted C-130s make flying, training, maintaining easier

    The C-130 Hercules getting upgraded avionics will give pilots better situational awareness, will be easier to schedule for missions and easier to maintain. The first of some 350 Air Force's C-130s to receive the avionics modernization program conversion -- which upgrades it with new digital displays

  • Power pros 'wire' Wake Island

    The damage assessment crews that deployed here from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii eat a hot meal every night. They use laptop computers to compile data and generate reports, and sometimes, at the end of a particularly long day, they watch a DVD movie on a small television screen before going to bed.

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 20

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 20. In Afghanistan Sept. 20, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolts, a B-1 Lancer and Navy F/A-18F Hornets provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Tarin Kowt. The A-10s

  • Civil Air Patrol honored for hurricane relief contributions

    The Civil Air Patrol is scheduled to receive the prestigious Summit Award Sept. 20 for its Hurricanes Katrina and Rita disaster relief contributions. This is the highest award the American Society of Association Executives and the Center for Association Leadership's Associations Advance America

  • Course prepares dentists to treat children worldwide

    Officials from the 59th Medical Wing are teaching a Pediatric Dentistry Course to help general dentists from smaller clinics learn new techniques for treating children during the two-week course that ends Sept. 22 at Lackland AFB, Texas.The in-residence course provides training to Air Force dentists

  • Air Force awards CRAF contracts worth $2.3 billion

    Headquarters Air Mobility Command has awarded its annual contracts that support the Civil Reserve Air Fleet program, worth $2.3 billion in fiscal 2007.Civilian airlines contractually commit to the CRAF to support Department of Defense airlift requirements in emergencies when the need for airlift

  • Manas C-17 crew drops vital cargo in Afghanistan

    The primary mission of the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing is to provide air mobility support to servicemembers in Afghanistan fighting the war on terrorism. Detachment 1 of the 817th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron here enabled that mission with a combat airdrop Sept. 17. The C-17 Globemaster III

  • Program helps families deal with separation

    Studying her family's checkbook, military spouse Desiree Currie of Richmond, Va., faced a dilemma. Her husband had just left for Iraq with the Virginia Air National Guard, leaving behind a second job that paid for their daughter's dance classes. Without the extra money, there could be no

  • Air Force Band streaming music on line

    Chief Master Sgt. David Nokes worked 15 months to take an idea and, with the help of the U.S. Army, turned it into a viable product. The result is Air Force Bandstand, a 24-hour per day Internet streaming radio service that broadcasts music by the Air Force Band and also includes news from the Air

  • Work begins when boots hit the ground

    To move 35,000 troops in and out of Southwest Asia each month, Airmen and fellow servicemembers are called to action as soon as the crew door opens upon landing. "What separates us from all other air terminals is that here, passengers become troops as soon as the plane lands," said Maj. Charlene

  • Bagram PRT awards $3 million contract

    A landmark road-construction contract that will link all districts in the Kapisa province of Afghanistan was awarded to a local contractor by the Bagram Provincial Reconstruction Team Sept. 18.When the road is complete, Kapisa province will be the only province in Afghanistan with roads connecting

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 19

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 19.In Afghanistan Sept. 18, an Air Force B-1 Lancer, along with Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s and French Air Force M-2000s provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near

  • Wake Island assessment nears completion

    The damage assessment team from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, has moved into its second phase of operations here. After three days of comprehensive walk-through inspections on more than 135 facilities, the team has gathered enough data to begin putting together estimates. When Super Typhoon Ioke

  • Captain pulls missile duty on Air Force birthday

    Capt. Jason Hopkin is so busy monitoring ballistic missile launch codes that he will not have time for cake, ice cream and punch on the Air Force's 59th birthday.He will join the other Airmen around the world who will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism. This war -- like

  • Firefighter hopes for quiet day on Air Force birthday

    Senior Airman Jurle Gaver hopes there are no emergencies to keep him from his cake, ice cream and punch on the Air Force's 59th birthday. The firefighter, like other Airmen around the world, will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism. This war -- like all the ones before --

  • Airman refueling transports on Air Force birthday

    Senior Airman Scott Roe will refuel aircraft on the Air Force's 59th birthday with little hope of eating the usual cake, ice cream and punch. The Airman, like others around the world, will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism. This war -- like all the ones before -- is

  • Front desk work keeps Airman busy on Air Force birthday

    Senior Airman Abbragail Barnett's front desk duties will most likely keep her from enjoying cake, ice cream and punch on the Air Force's 59th birthday. That's nothing new for most Airmen around the world, who will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism. This war -- like all

  • Sergeant and dog on patrol during Air Force birthday

    Staff Sgt. Keith Lippy and his dog, Beni, will be too busy on patrol to have time for cake, ice cream and punch on the Air Force's 59th birthday. The sergeant and his dog will be like Airmen around the world, they will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism. This war -- like

  • Sergeant dispatching maintainers on Air Force birthday

    Master Sgt. Robert Potter is busing tracking maintenance teams on the Air Force's 59th birthday, not enjoying cake, ice cream and punch.Instead, like for the past 15 years, he and other Airmen around the world will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism. This war -- like all

  • Report: Pilot error caused B-1 crash

    Pilot error caused a B-1 Lancer to crash while landing on the runway at a forward-deployed location May 8, 2006, according to an aircraft accident investigation report released here Sept. 18. The co-pilot suffered a minor back injury and the other three crew members were not injured. Damage totaled

  • Airman checking munitions on Air Force birthday

    Senior Airman Robert Shelton has munitions on his plate on the Air Force's 59th birthday instead of the usual cake, ice cream and punch.Because for the past 15 years, he and other Airmen around the world will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism. This war -- like all the

  • Eagles, Falcons face off in air exercise

    Eagles and Falcons, the Air Force's premier "birds of prey," are currently facing off here in a two-week air-to-air exercise called Sentry Aloha.F-15 Eagles from the Hawaii Air National Guard's 199th Fighter Squadron and F-16 Fighting Falcons from the Texas Air National Guard's 149th Fighter Wing

  • Time running out to 'perform your duty'

    "If you can sing, dance or play a musical instrument," said Tom Edwards, chief of Air Force Entertainment and Tops In Blue, "you should apply for the Worldwide Talent Contest. Time is running out." The Worldwide Talent Contest deadline for applications is Oct. 2. The actual competition will begin

  • Young Airman excels, learns at Wake Island

    Super Typhoon Ioke left Wake Island in shambles. The Category 5 storm raged through the atoll Aug. 31, demolishing buildings and tossing around anything that wasn't bolted down -- and many things that were. Assessing the damage includes some repair work, and it's a mission that calls for the most

  • C-17 pilot on standby on Air Force birthday

    Capt. Carl Miller could be flying his transport aircraft instead of celebrating the Air Force's birthday with the cake, ice cream and punch.Because, like for the past 15 years, he and other Airmen around the world will report to work this day to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism. This

  • Crew chief keeps B-1s flying on Air Force birthday

    Airman 1st Class Jonathan Termun is keeping B-1 Lancers flying on the Air Force's 59th birthday, with no time for cake, ice cream and punch. Because, like for the past 15 years, he and other Airmen around the world will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism. This war --

  • Maintainers improving system through AFSO 21

    If you could reduce the number of steps an Airman in the 92nd Maintenance Squadron's Periodic Inspection Element has to climb every day, you could give him back a lot of time. It would also be an excellent example of Air Force Smart Operations 21 in action. Until recently, working inside the cargo

  • Raptor pilot training on Air Force birthday

    Capt. Daniel Arkema will be flying the Air Force's newest fighter on the service's birthday -- not eating cake and ice cream and drinking punch. Instead, like for the past 15 years, he and other Airmen around the world will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism. This war --

  • Air Force birthday just another day on the job

    Senior Airman Delbert Coburn Jr. will be up to his neck in wiring instead of celebrating the Air Force's 59th birthday with the usual cake, ice cream and punch. Just like for the past 15 years, he and other Airmen around the world will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism.

  • CENTAF releases airpower summaries for Sept. 16-18

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summaries for Sept. 16 through 18.Sept. 16In Afghanistan Sept. 15, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and a B-1 Lancer provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Khowst. Marine Corps AV-8Bs

  • Charleston photojournalist featured on national magazine

    An aerial combat photojournalist with the 1st Combat Camera Squadron here will be featured on the cover of a national professional women's magazine. Staff Sgt. Stacy Pearsall's self-portrait flying in a helicopter over Iraq in 2003 was chosen for the cover of the October issue of Pink, which hits

  • Sergeant filling prescriptions on Air Force birthday

    Tech. Sgt. Brenda Martinez-Lashley will be filling prescriptions instead of eating cake, ice cream and punch on the Air Force's 59th birthday. Like for the past 15 years, she and other Airmen around the world will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism. This war -- like all

  • Flight nurse on medevac duty on Air Force birthday

    First Lt. John Rinaldo will be on aeromedical evacuation duty on the Air Force's 59th birthday and will not have much time to celebrate with the cake, ice cream and punch. Instead, like for the past 15 years, he and other Airmen around the world will report to work to fight or support the ongoing

  • Sergeant moving passengers on Air Force birthday

    The Air Force is 59 years old today. But Staff Sgt. Robert Thomas will not have much time to celebrate with the cake, ice cream and punch usually associated with birthdays. Instead, like for the past 15 years, he and other Airmen around the world will report to work to fight or support the ongoing

  • Maintainer spends Air Force birthday on flightline

    The Air Force is 59 years old today. But Tech. Sgt. Tim Scheaffer will not have time to celebrate with the cake, ice cream and punch usually associated with birthdays. Instead, like for the past 15 years, he and other Airmen around the world will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on

  • Airmen piece together Wake Island connectivity puzzle

    Situated about 2,300 miles west of Honolulu and 2,000 miles southeast of Tokyo, Wake Island sits alone in the Pacific Ocean. In a place this remote, and this small -- its three coral islets contain a total land area of about 3 square miles -- communication with the outside world is imperative. When

  • Spangdahlem F-16 was in controlled crash landing

    The F-16 Fighting Falcon that crashed near Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, had a landing gear problem that forced its pilot to do a controlled crash landing. The crash was not an accident, 52nd Fighter Wing commander Col. Darryl Roberson said. The colonel held a press conference Sept. 16 near the

  • Tigers give Falcons flight

    Like an experienced pit crew, the 332d Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft maintenance unit -- the Tiger -- keeps the F-16 Fighting Falcons of the 332d Expeditionary Fighter Squadron in top form. The crew chiefs, back shops and support Airmen in the Tiger aircraft maintenance

  • Airmen compete in training challenge

    Airmen from nine major commands gathered here this week to compete and train in the CBRN Challenge. The challenge, which covers chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear hazards, is being held for the first time as an Air Force-wide event. The week-long event ends Sept. 15 with a banquet and

  • 'Bone' makes evolving mark on war on terrorism

    It can strike at a moment's notice. It is a lethal injection for the war on terrorism. It is a combat commander' s weapon of choice. The B-1B Lancer, sometimes called the "Bone," has made a name for itself for nearly 20 years and continues to make its mark in the fight for freedom. Since the war

  • Army vet recalls horrors of POW camp

    Dec. 23, 1944. "It was the saddest day of my life," said Guillermo Serrano. It was a numbingly cold night with Christmas Eve just hours away when young Army Private Serrano was captured and imprisoned by Germans during the early stages of World War II's Battle of the Bulge. The battle began Dec. 16,

  • Former POWs carry on American resolve

    Americans honored the nation's patriots Sept. 15 during National POW/MIA Recognition Day. They took part in ceremonies, parades and observances held across the country on military installations, ships at sea, veterans' facilities and the Pentagon. This day commemorated America's past patriots still

  • CMSAF McKinley gets firsthand look at Offutt missions

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney McKinley met with Airmen here and saw firsthand the diverse missions accomplished in support of the nation's defense. While at Offutt AFB Sept. 5 to 8, the chief took the opportunity to speak at an "all hands call" at U.S. Strategic Command and an enlisted

  • Reservists honored for rescue efforts

    More than 40 members of the 943rd Rescue Group here were honored Sept. 10 here for their service during rescue efforts following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.Members of the 305th and 306th Rescue Squadrons, 943rd Maintenance and other support units were honored by military leaders and public

  • Space unit to move from Cheyenne Mountain

    The Space Control Center, operated by the 1st Space Control Squadron, is transferring its operations from Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Colo., to the Joint Space Operations Center at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.The move is part of an effort to enhance mission effectiveness and increase

  • Officials provide update on F-16 crash

    Officials at the 52nd Fighter Wing here have released additional information about the crash of the F-16 Fighting Falcon near the town of Oberkail, Germany, Sept. 14.The F-16 pilot, 1st Lt. Trevor Merrell, 28, from the 22nd Fighter Squadron at Spangdahlem AB, ejected safely from the

  • Airmen add up damage at Wake Island

    Airmen from the 15th Civil Engineer Squadron and the 15th Communications Squadron from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, are working around the clock to provide accurate estimates of the storm damage on Wake Island caused by Super Typhoon Ioke. Super Typhoon Ioke brought 155 mph winds and 190 mph gusts

  • AFIT Class of September 2006 graduates

    More than 40 scientists, engineers and management specialists are the latest recipients of graduate and doctoral degrees from the Air Force Institute of Technology.AFIT's Graduate School of Engineering and Management held its September 2006 graduation ceremony Sept. 14 in the Institute's Kenney

  • Denver-area units hold POW/MIA Recognition Day vigil

    To commemorate National POW/MIA Recognition Day, military and civilian employees gathered here Sept. 14 for a 24-hour vigil to remember people listed as prisoners of war or missing in action. The annual ceremony opened with volunteers from the Air Reserve Personnel Center, Defense Finance and

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 15

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 15.In Afghanistan yesterday, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Oruzgan. An Air Force B-1 Lancer provided close-air support for

  • DOD schools administrator named principal of year

    An administrator in a Defense Department school in Germany was named Sept. 11 as the 2007 National Principal of the Year for Middle Schools. Dr. Ellen Minette of Heidelberg Middle School received the award from the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the Metropolitan Life

  • Changes to acquisition processes reduce delivery time

    Changes in the Air Force's acquisition community have already resulted in quicker delivery of capability to the warfighter, according to the assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition. The Air Force acquisition community is changing the way it does business to deliver capability faster and

  • Spangdahlem F-16 crashes

    A 22nd Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed at 1 p.m. local time Sept. 14 near the town of Oberkail, about 10 miles north of this busy fighter base. The pilot ejected safely and is in good condition, said Staff Sgt. Tammie Moore, a spokesperson for the 52nd Fighter Wing. The aircraft was on

  • Hickam team begins Wake Island assessment

    Airmen from the 15th Airlift Wing embarked on Day One of their intensive damage assessment here Sept. 14, following the destruction left by Super Typhoon Ioke Aug. 31.The Airmen arrived Sept. 12 on a C-17 Globemaster III from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, and will spend several days gathering the

  • USO to honor service heroes

    The United Service Organizations will present its "Service Member of the Year" Award to an enlisted member from each branch of the armed forces at the 2006 USO World Gala Sept. 28 in Washington, D.C. The award recognizes individuals for extraordinary heroism. This year's recipients are: Staff Sgt.

  • UAV catches anti-Iraqi forces mortar team

    Two men were detained and a small cache discovered after coalition forces observed, with the intelligence gathered from an unmanned aerial vehicle, six men fleeing the origin of an indirect fire attack on the civilians of Khan Bani Sa'ad, south of Baqubah Tuesday. After two mortar rounds impacted

  • Selective Early Retirement Board to convene Jan. 8

    In an effort to shape the force to support core and emerging missions, Air Force officials will convene a Selective Early Retirement Board Jan. 8 to balance the excess of officers in the colonel and lieutenant colonel ranks. The SERB will evaluate line of the Air Force and chaplain colonels and

  • Dyess welcomes back bomber squadron

    Hundreds of family members and friends welcomed home 279 Airmen of the 7th Bomb Wing who returned to Dyess AFB Sept. 13 from a deployment to Southwest Asia. The squadron deployed for several months throughout Southwest Asia in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. "It's all about

  • Officials award $589 million Weapon System Integrator contract

    Officials with the Electronic Systems Center's 350th Electronic Systems Group awarded a $589 million contract Sept. 12 to Lockheed Martin Corp. to serve as the Air and Space Operations Center Weapon System Integrator.With this contract, Air Force specialists will be able to aid the government's