NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • Princeton review gives academy high marks

    The Air Force Academy ranks 18th in the nation in overall academic experience, according to the Princeton Review's "The Best 357 Colleges -- 2005 edition."The annual rankings hit the streets Aug. 17 and are the result of input from more than 110,000 students at 357 colleges.Students and cadets

  • Global posture realignment to take place over time

    "The first message I would pass to troops and their families is that they needn't pack their bags," a senior Department of Defense official said Aug. 17, referring to plans for globally realigning U.S. armed forces.Andrew Hoehn, deputy assistant secretary of defense for strategy, reassured

  • Forward-deployed civilians play vital role in terror war

    The death of a Department of the Air Force civilian in Iraq on Aug. 8 brings attention to some of the unsung heroes of the war effort: Thousands of Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy civilian employees who have voluntarily put themselves in harm's way to support the war on terrorism.Special

  • AFA announces annual aerospace awards

    The following Airmen and organizations are winners of the 2004 Air Force Association Aerospace Awards. The awards will be presented at the AFA’s annual convention here Sept. 13 to 15.The Theodore Von Karman Award for the most outstanding contribution to national defense in the field of science and

  • Crew chief follows, sets example

    "I want everyone I meet to know how proud I am to be part of the best air force in the world," said Tech. Sgt. Scott Stout, an F-15 Eagle maintenance trainer assigned to the 372nd Training Squadron’s Detachment 12 here."I like seeing the reflection of my ribbons and medals in people's eyes,”

  • Bush announces global posture changes during next decade

    The United States will redistribute forces now stationed at overseas locations "where the wars of the last century ended," President Bush announced in Cincinnati on Aug. 16. The president's announcement came during an address to the national convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. "The world has

  • New leadership course for chiefs in final development

    Although the transition to chief master sergeant may not be seamless, a new course will aim at eliminating some of the obstacles newly promoted chiefs may encounter.The Chief Master Sergeant Leadership Course, developed at the Air Force Senior NCO Academy at nearby Gunter Annex, becomes the fourth

  • Now showing: Aug. 16 edition of AFTV News

    The expanded role of North American Aerospace Defense Command headlines the latest edition of Air Force Television News. In a special “Eye on the Air Force,” Tech. Sgt. Bill Scherer goes to Rome, N.Y., to spotlight the Airmen who make up the Northeast sector of NORAD. He shows how their role has

  • Helicopter pilots earn Cheney Award

    For the second straight year, Airmen from the 21st Special Operations Squadron at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, have earned the Cheney Award for aerial achievement.Capts. (then 1st Lts.) Randell Voas and Craig Prather earned the award for their role in the March 26, 2003, airdrop mission of

  • Air Force agent killed in Iraq

    A special agent assigned to the 33rd Field Investigation Squadron here and deployed to Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq, was killed in action Aug. 8.Special Agent Rick A. Ulbright, 49, died as a result of injuries sustained during a rocket attack at Kirkuk AB.Agent Ulbright served as a psychophysiological

  • Two commands join forces during terror exercises

    It was a nightmare worst-case scenario, but that is what U.S. Northern Command officials had intended for "Determined Promise '04."The exercise, which ran Aug. 5 to 10, was designed to test NORTHCOM's ability to respond to multiple, simultaneous homeland-defense and federal-relief efforts.This

  • Air Force taking applications for overseas study

    The Air Force is offering three officers the opportunity to study overseas for two years through the Olmsted Scholar Program. Those selected will begin study for the 2005-2006 school year.The program provides participants with an in-depth understanding of a foreign language and culture so they are

  • Reserve medical team arrives in Niger

    A team of Air Force Reserve Command medical specialists arrived here Aug. 6 and quickly set up shop at the camp’s medical clinic. They began seeing patients early Aug. 9.The 12-person medical team deployed alongside a U.S. Marine counterterrorism team here which is outside Niamey, the African

  • Air Force seeks career enlisted aviators

    Opportunities for Airmen to become enlisted aviators are taking off as nine aircrew specialties are opening up for retraining.The Air Force’s senior enlisted aviator said more than 360 training slots are available for enlisted Airmen in ranks senior airman through master sergeant.Chief Master Sgt.

  • Quarterly assignment listing now available

    The Enlisted Quarterly Assignment Listing for April to June 2005 overseas requirements is now available.Individuals need to work through their military personnel flights to update their preferences by Aug. 19. Airmen will be notified of their selection by mid-September, said Air Force Personnel

  • Lab welcomes 15-year-old doctoral student

    Air Force Research Laboratory experts routinely welcome college students to their facilities and give them a taste of what scientists and engineers do for the military. In turn, they hope to harness the young talent after they graduate.Playing host to Alia Sabur for summer research is not really

  • ‘Beer goggles’ give Airmen view of alcohol’s effects

    If you think it is OK to drive after having a few beers, fatal-vision goggles may change your view.Tanya Paul, an intern at the health and wellness center here, developed a program called BE AWARE (Basic Education of Alcohol: What to drink, Ability to drive, Risk and Effects). It is designed to

  • Veteran recalls historic World War II bombings

    The beginning of the end of fighting in the Pacific during World War II began 59 years ago with a thunderous roar.Some people thought there was another way to get Japan to the peace table. Others thought the drastic measures taken by the United States saved more lives despite the cost.Whatever the

  • Coalition forces come together in operations center

    Despite cultural and language differences between Korean, Dutch, Italian and American forces, controllers in the Combined Defense Operations Center here are one force guarding against a common enemy.The center brings together security forces from the nations based here to gather information and

  • Sergeant sees dollar signs with his idea

    Reading the fine print really paid off for one sergeant here. Staff Sgt. Neal Dion, a 364th Training Squadron aircraft systems instructor, received $10,000 for his submission to the Air Force IDEA program.Sergeant Dion was a liaison for The Boeing Company in the KC-10 Extender program at Travis Air

  • New system leading way for safer military flights

    Thanks to a new software-based program being implemented here, terminal instrument procedures specialists will soon be able to support flying missions within U.S. Air Forces in Europe’s area of operations more efficiently and with increased safety.The new system, called the Global Procedure

  • Medical officials clarify policy on cosmetic surgery

    Air Force doctors perform cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries as part of essential training, but elective cosmetic procedures such as breast augmentations are not routinely available as perks to servicemembers and their families, according to Air Force Medical Service officials.Recent published

  • Remains from Vietnam War identified

    An Airman missing in action from the Vietnam War has been identified and returned to his family for burial with full military honors.He is Chief Master Sgt. Luther L. Rose of Howe, Texas.On June 23, 1966, Chief Rose was serving as a gunner on an AC-47 Spooky gunship on a nighttime armed

  • Motorcycle safety can save Airmen

    For anyone on two wheels, the asphalt offers no pardon for its hunger, and guardrails, lamp posts and four-wheeled vehicles do not forgive an impact.Motorcycle accidents continue to rob the Air Force of its most precious resource – people.“I saw an Airman with little riding experience snap his back

  • 2005 NCO retraining program under way

    Air Force officials want more than 1,000 noncommissioned officers to pick a new job during the voluntary phase of the fiscal 2005 NCO retraining program that began Aug. 3.Eligible NCOs have until Sept. 30 to apply. If the Air Force does not meet its goal of placing 1,098 Airmen from overage career

  • Center professionals helping fight terrorism

    A well-trained terrorist looks for ways to exploit his target's vulnerabilities; however, through training and vigilance, the malicious deeds of America's enemies can be foiled.That is the message people from the U.S. Air Force Counterproliferation Center here want to spread.With the motto, "We

  • Reservists helping forest service fight fires

    As the sun sets, a C-130 Hercules rolls in, covered in a thin misty layer of reddish orange liquid fire retardant. The retardant coats everything it has touched, serving as a reminder to the Airmen from the 302nd Airlift Wing of the heroic adventure they have just completed.As of Aug. 5, the unit

  • Air Force officials announce E-5 promotion rates

    The Air Force has selected 13,625 of 33,306 eligible senior airmen for promotion to staff sergeant, a 40.91 percent selection rate.The Air Force will release the promotion list Aug. 11. The complete list of selectees will be posted to the Air Force Personnel Center's Web page,

  • Team in desert decides when bombs go ‘Boom!’

    In a country still struggling to overcome the devastations of war and terror, U.S. servicemembers are helping rebuild Afghanistan's infrastructure and weed out the terrorist trail left behind.Five explosive ordnance disposal flight people from here are taking part in this process at Khandahar Air

  • Mission focus combats complacency

    Two narrow wire fences -- one of looped concertina wire, one of interlaced metal strands a quarter inch thick -- are all that appear to stand between coalition forces and potential enemies.Appearances, however, can be deceiving, as integrated layers of defense provide protection for forces here.

  • New procedures will ensure absentee ballots count

    With the 2004 elections fast approaching, the handling of absentee ballots from overseas servicemembers is undergoing intense scrutiny. Air Combat Command's 82nd Communications Support Squadron postal flight is among the many organizations working to make sure these ballots arrive in the hands of

  • Longer school gives security forces more training

    The charter class of a longer, more intensive Security Forces Apprentice Course began here July 23.Training now lasts 65 days instead of 51, and teaches security forces students about missile security, convoy actions, capture and recovery of nuclear weapons, law enforcement, directing traffic and

  • Recruiting school marks 50 years at Lackland

    More than 4.3 million people have joined the Air Force in the past 50 years through the efforts of enthusiastic recruiters trained at the Air Force Recruiting School here.“Every recruiter has to come through this school first,” said Tech. Sgt. Lynn Bryan, one of 14 active-duty recruiting instructors

  • Guard unit provides medical assistance in Peru

    Thirty people from the Kansas Air National Guard's 184th Medical Group at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., returned home July 30 after providing humanitarian medical assistance to a needy portion of the civilian population here.In nine days, seven medical doctors, one physician assistant and an

  • Professional wrestler visits former base school, home

    Walking into the center of the high school gymnasium, the illuminated stage grabs the professional wrestler's attention. "This is the very spot (my friend) Kenny and I did that skit -- my first wrestling match!" he says, pointing to the stage.It was during this performance for the 1982 Randolph High

  • Lynch visits reservists who brought her to U.S.

    At the time, it was a matter of doing their job. In retrospect, it was a brush with history.Airmen from Air Force Reserve Command’s 445th Airlift Wing here helped transport then-Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch along with other injured servicemembers from Germany back to the United States in April 2003. It

  • Basic cadets finish field training with 36-mile relay

    The academy’s Class of 2008 was only 36 miles away from the end of the field portion of basic cadet training.The second annual Warrior Run began when the first group of cadets moved out at 7:10 a.m. Aug. 5. In all, 1,277 basic cadets and 625 upper-class cadre each ran about three miles of the

  • Marathon becomes official Air Force event

    The U.S. Air Force Marathon has been flying high for eight years and Air Force Services Agency officials recently approved it as an official Air Force event."The official endorsement has always been kind of understood, it's just never been written formally; now it will be," said Steve Carlyon, the

  • Fallen friend’s memory drives Vermont father, son

    While growing up in the lush Green Mountains near South Burlington, Vt., he was considered part of the family. Ultimately, the childhood playmate and best friend became a hero when he gave his life as a Marine in battle. The memory of Marine Cpl. Mark Evnin is what puts the fire in the fight of

  • Project helps people ‘de-stress’ through training

    One unavoidable fact about military action is that servicemembers will have to deal with traumatic stress. Defense Department officials are working to find the best way to help troops deal with the harmful effects of the stress people face in combat. One part of that effort is a treatment trial

  • Feeding program will assist warriors with new rations

    The Defense Department's combat feeding program at the U.S. Army Soldier System Center in Natick, Mass., is a "one-stop shop for all combat-rations development, field food-service equipment and total combat feeding systems," according to the Defense Department's combat-feeding director.Gerald Darsch

  • Organizations team up to protect range from lead pollution

    A steel-bullet trap will collect several hundred thousand rounds of lead annually at the 78th Security Forces Squadron’s small-arms range here, thanks to two agencies on base.A cooperative-funding venture between Warner Robins Air Logistics Center’s environmental management directorate and the 78th

  • JEFX analyzes battlespace chain reactions

    Sun Tzu once said, “If you know the enemy and know yourself, the victory is not at risk.”The strategy division of the Combined Air and Space Operations Center here is giving Sun Tzu’s strategy a whole new meaning with a new operational assessment tool being used as part of the Effects-based

  • Air Force general denies Schmidt appeal

    A U.S. Air Force general has denied the appeal of an Illinois Air National Guard F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot regarding the punishment he received for his role in a 2002 friendly fire incident in Afghanistan.Gen. Hal Hornburg, commander of Air Combat Command, denied Maj. Harry Schmidt’s appeal Aug. 3.

  • Contact Center keeping customers No. 1

    A customer satisfaction survey shows a favorable response to the Air Force Contact Center here. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week (except for Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day), the contact center staff answers questions from hundreds of people a day from around the

  • Captain finds fitness, less stress with yoga

    Breathing instructions are repeated in minute-long counts while people hold an asana, or posture, that resembles a row boat. Piano music plays while the noon sun bounces around the room’s mirrors, making the atmosphere almost heavenly during the class.This is all part of Capt. William Uhl’s

  • Airmen help repair runway lights

    Usually when the lights go out in an office, it is an inconvenience; a work stoppage at worst. When the lights go out on the runway, as they did here July 30, the entire mission threatens to come to a screeching halt, creating a domino effect all over the area.It was shortly before lunchtime when

  • Going from Air Force to NASA blue for astronaut wings

    It is the all too famous image seen across the world -- the orange suits, the big smiles, the friendly waves -- as an astronaut crew prepares to launch out of Earth’s orbit. Since the first U.S. manned space flight in 1961, the Air Force has been a part of the nation’s space program.There are some

  • Raptor continuing Air Force's air superiority record

    With air dominance training under way here, the Air Force's newest asset, the F/A-22 Raptor, is proving its worth every day as it nears initial operational capability.The Raptor will eventually replace the F-15 Eagle, an aircraft with an undefeated 104-0 combat record, according to Brig. Gen. Larry

  • Airman makes good on promise

    To Airman Diana Herbert, her reason for serving in the Air Force was simple. She made a promise.She did not seek or want the attention she is getting, but that does not change the enormity of her promise to her brother, Army Pfc. Rayshawn Johnson.Airman Herbert, 18, fulfilled her pledge July 28

  • Now showing: Aug. 2 edition of Air Force Television News

    The Air Force’s contribution to treating the wounded in Iraq is featured in the latest edition of Air Force Television News.Tech. Sgt. Pachari Lutke visits Balad Air Base, Iraq, where Air Force and Army doctors, nurses and medical technicians work side by side to deal with battle casualties. For

  • Mother Nature battles Father Time during JEFX

    Mother Nature is a force to be reckoned with, and warfighters know weather can be more dangerous than the enemy itself.This is the logic behind the Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment 2004 machine-to-machine weather innovation initiative that provides automatic weather information to the Combined

  • Security forces say farewell to four-legged partner

    Staff Sgt. Pablo Martinez's best friend retired from active duty July 27. Instead of bringing him a plaque or other token, Sergeant Martinez threw him a rubber ball attached to a nylon rope. It was the perfect gift.Dolfy, a military working dog for the 82nd Security Forces Squadron here, received

  • Avoid summer heat hazards for pet safety

    Some people treat their pets like more than just an animal companion. They exercise with them, and take them to run errands and along on family trips. During summer, it may be necessary to curtail certain activities to keep pets safe from extreme heat.Extremely high temperatures are dangerous for

  • Deployed senior NCOs offered course in leadership

    Future senior noncommissioned officers at one forward-deployed location were recently given an opportunity that until now might have been available only to those at their home stations.Twenty-six master sergeant selectees attended the first Senior Noncommissioned Officer Symposium held in the U.S.

  • Incirlik Airman found guilty of black marketing

    An Airman here was found guilty of black marketing during a summary court-martial recently.The Airman received a reduction in rank from staff sergeant to senior airman, restriction to base for 60 days and a verbal reprimand.“The Airman needed to accomplish paperwork for personal business, and a few

  • Motorcycle safety important part of critical days

    Since the start of the “101 Critical Days of Summer,” at least 16 Airmen have been injured or killed in motorcycle accidents, primarily because they lacked proper training or were not wearing all the required safety gear when they went down.Rod Krause, the 5th Bomb Wing safety office manager here

  • Airmen helping researchers by living in the clouds

    A handful of Air Force Academy Airmen are living in the clouds on the 14,110-foot Pikes Peak summit this summer as part of an Army/Air Force acclimatization research study.The U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, based in Natick, Mass., and the academy’s Human Performance

  • Pentagon Channel available to all Airmen

    The Pentagon Channel is available to practically every active-duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Airman and his or her family thanks to a recent expansion of services.Officials from the office of the secretary of defense for public affairs made the Pentagon Channel free to all cable

  • Tricare South Region begins transition August 1

    Department of Defense officials announced July 28 the continuation of its move toward new military health-care contractors and changes in regional areas of responsibility. On Aug. 1, Tricare-eligible beneficiaries in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, eastern Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and

  • Gridlock technology brings coordinates to warfighters

    Gridlock, or precision Geo-registration of Imagery from Airborne Platforms, provides a machine-to-machine capability for military imagery interpreters that can do in one minute what a targeteer, or target designator, would take between 20 minutes to never to accomplish.This technology for tomorrow’s

  • Plans on table to sustain Minuteman III

    The officer in charge of America's intercontinental ballistic missile force said plans are well under way to sustain the life of the Minuteman III missile until the year 2020.Maj. Gen. Frank Klotz, 20th Air Force commander, visited here recently and spoke about the future of America's ICBM force.

  • Air Force ROTC closing detachments next summer

    Air Force ROTC officials are closing detachments at the University of Akron in Ohio, and Grambling State University in Louisiana next summer.In the summer 2007, officials will close AFROTC detachments at the University of Memphis in Tennessee; University of Cincinnati in Ohio; Wilkes University in

  • Air Force leaders support C-130J program

    Air Force officials are standing by the C-130J Hercules as the aircraft prepares to join the fight, despite a recent Department of Defense inspector general report criticizing the program.The Air Force fully endorses the C-130J, senior Air Force acquisitions officials said. The program is one of

  • Airmen begin structural analysis of C-5A

    Rolling up their sleeves, people from the 653rd Combat Logistics Support Squadron set about cutting through the skin and muscle of a C-5A Galaxy this week to remove the giant wings and lend a hand to those evaluating the aircraft’s viability for the future.Inspections began last year on a Galaxy,

  • Pentagon launches 'Operation Blue to Green'

    Sailors and Airmen may soon be able to "Go Army" under a new Defense Department program intended to rebalance the size of the military. The program is generating new opportunities for continued service and career advancement for those willing to transfer into the Army from other services.Under

  • Board meets at academy to discuss issues

    The U.S. Air Force Academy's Board of Visitors met here July 24 and 25 to discuss a variety of issues affecting the institution. The board is required to meet at least annually to review morale, discipline, curriculum, instruction, physical education, fiscal affairs, academic methods and other

  • Reserve forces can seek medical, dental reimbursement

    National Guard and Reserve members who paid their medical and dental bills and saved their receipts may now seek reimbursement from Tricare, officials of the military health-care system announced July 23.Officials said the system will begin processing medical and dental claims for Guard and Reserve

  • Airman charged after contraband investigation

    Officials have preferred charges against Maj. Gregory McMillion after an investigation found evidence he allegedly shipped contraband items here from an Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment.Major McMillion is assigned to the base’s 728th Air Control Squadron. The suspected contraband includes Iraqi

  • Engineers by day, snipers by night

    Everyone has heard the old idiom, “like shooting fish in a barrel.” Two engineers here have revised it to, “like shooting a dime at 164 feet.”Capts. Mark Gould and Robin Orth, assigned to the Space and Missile Systems Center, are on the Air Force International Rifle Team. The team competes against

  • Airman pleads guilty to rape charge

    A general court-martial hearing for an Airman charged with rape ended here July 26 with a guilty plea, a sentence of 42 months confinement and dishonorable discharge from the Air Force.A charge of rape was preferred against Airman Basic Darwin M. Paredesillescas May 19 for violating Article 120 of

  • Heavy equipment operators gets down, dirty

    Although their primary mission is to maintain the runway here, the heavy-equipment Airmen find much of their work involves dirt -- moving it, smoothing it and grading it.It is a dirty job, but someone has got to do it.“We’re here to make sure the runway stays open,” said Staff Sgt. John Wininger,

  • Secretary Rumsfeld sends message to troops

    The following is a message to the troops from Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld on why the United States is fighting in Iraq:“More than 15 months ago, a global coalition ended the brutal regime of Saddam Hussein and liberated the people of Iraq.“As in all conflicts, this has come at a cost in

  • Deputy secretary of defense visits McChord

    An audience of more than 800 Airmen and Soldiers took part in a unique question-and-answer session with one of the nation’s top military leaders here July 23.Dr. Paul Wolfowitz, deputy secretary of defense, held a town hall meeting with Airmen from here, Soldiers from neighboring Fort Lewis, and

  • Trainees march out for field portion of basic cadet training

    The Air Force Academy’s Class of 2008 marched 7.8 miles from the school’s Terrazzo to their Jacks Valley tent city July 23 to begin the field portion of basic cadet training.Nine squadrons consisting of almost 1,300 trainees, along with their cadre and academy leaders, formed up on the Terrazzo in

  • Local citizens receiving Air Force leadership training

    Airmen are not the only ones reaping the benefits of formal Air Force leadership training here. Two citizens from the local community completed five weeks of leadership classes July 23.The training they received on base coincided with the education Airmen receive at the Senior Master Sgt. David B.

  • JEFX 2004 execution phase is under way

    The Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment 2004 execution phase is under way here. This is the fifth in a series of large-scale experiments that explore and assess new and emerging air power capabilities.The executing phase began July 19 and ends Aug. 5.Previous meetings, or spirals, focused on

  • Ramstein NCO captures first sergeant award

    A senior noncommissioned officer assigned to U.S. Air Forces in Europe headquarters at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, has earned the 2004 Air Force First Sergeant of the Year Award.Senior Master Sgt. Ricky Price, who works in construction and training, is being recognized for building then teaching the

  • Airmen shatter blood donation record

    Airmen here shattered their own record July 19 by donating 1,341 units of blood in a single day.Last year, base donors set the state's single-day, single-site blood donation record when they donated 1,151 units, earning the national "most first-time donors" award from the American Red

  • House hears space cadre testimony

    Air Force leaders provided key testimony July 22 to the House Armed Services Committee’s strategic force subcommittee about efforts to develop the professional space cadre.The undersecretary of the Air Force, Peter B. Teets, and the commander of Air Force Space Command, Gen. Lance W. Lord, explained

  • Keesler Airmen send aid to Afghanistan

    Thanks to Airmen here, cargo earmarked for needy families is on its way to Afghanistan aboard an Air Force Reserve C-130 Hercules.The 403rd Wing here flew five pallets to Dover Air Force Base, Del., on July 21. Three more pallets are scheduled to leave July 29."I don't think we've done this type of

  • ROTC cadets pass field-training test at Lackland

    “Uncle Sam” requires all Air Force cadets to go through field training before they can think about receiving their commission and sporting the gold second lieutenant bar on their shoulders. Field training is a fierce mental and physical regimen that can make or break the spirits of aspiring Air

  • CSAF: Air Force key in Pacific operations

    The Air Force will become more active in the Pacific theater in the future in response to emerging hot spots, said the Air Force chief of staff after a recent tour of the Pacific Air Operations Center here.Gen. John P. Jumper discussed the importance of the Pacific area.“As we’ve seen over the past

  • PME incorporates Fit-to-Fight program

    Professional Military Education students will exercise under a more formal structure beginning in August as part of the Fit-to-Fight initiative. Students will perform physical conditioning three days a week to reinforce the school’s new focus, said Chief Master Sgt. Sharon R. Turk, vice commandant

  • Service demographics available online

    Air Force Personnel Center officials here recently published the quarterly demographics report offering a snapshot of the service's active-duty and civilian force as of June 30.The report outlines information regarding the Air Force’s 376,926 active-duty Airmen and 143,886 civilian employees, such

  • Test pilot school selection board date set

    The Air Force plans to hold its next test pilot school selection board at the Air Force Personnel Center here Nov. 15.The U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School trains pilots, navigators and engineers to test and evaluate the newest aircraft and weapons systems.Applicants from all aircraft types and

  • Bases earn awards for energy, environmental management

    Several Air Force bases were among the winners of top awards for leadership in federal energy and environmental management during a presidential ceremony held July 15 at the State Department headquarters here.The Leadership in Federal Energy Management Awards honor teams of federal employees who

  • Two of four quads experiencing life in Iraq

    One is the older, “more mature” sister, freely giving advice and guiding her younger sibling -- even if she is only senior by about two minutes.The sisters, two of a set of quadruplets born to Joanne and Reginald L. Brown Sr., are deployed here together from their home units at Kadena Air Base,

  • Senior NCO promotion video 'demystifies' board process

    Officials from the Air Force selection board secretariat and the enlisted promotions branch at the Air Force Personnel Center here have a new video to help shed light on the inner workings of the selection board process.The video is an effort to educate all Airmen about senior enlisted promotion

  • Absentee ballots can make a difference

    In the Nov. 2 general election, the next president, vice president, 34 senators, 435 representatives, 13 governors and hundreds of local officials will be elected. American voters play a very important role in this process, said Maj. Rickey Harrington, U.S. Air Forces in Europe voting officer.“The

  • Air Force bids farewell to World War II hero

    The Air Force family bid farewell to a World War II hero July 20.Retired Maj. Gen. Charles W. Sweeney, the man who flew the historic B-29 Superfortress flight that dropped the second atomic bomb on Japan during World War II, died July 16 in Boston. He was 84. “He was the best patriot, best father

  • Privatization helping DOD meet housing goal

    With funding levels making it increasingly difficult to maintain acceptable housing conditions at many military installations, Defense Department officials in the mid-1990s turned management and maintenance of some 200,000 "below standard" quarters over to private firms."We knew that we would never

  • Officials complete T-6A accident investigation

    Air Force officials completed the investigation of a T-6A Texan II that crashed April 3 at the Savannah Hilton-Head International Airport in Georgia killing two Air Force pilots.The investigation determined the accident was caused by pilot error.The pilots, Capts. Judson Brinson and Thomas Moore,

  • Teets discusses national security space strategy

    Peter B. Teets, the undersecretary of the Air Force for space, spoke about the future of space during the National Defense Industrial Association symposium on space policy and architecture.Representatives from the secretary of defense’s office, unified combatant commands and service space components

  • AF pharmacies implement new formulary guidelines

    Air Force pharmacies will no longer distribute some high-use, but expensive medications. This was outlined in a memorandum recently sent out to all Air Force pharmacies by Maj. Gen. (Dr.) Joseph E. Kelley, assistant surgeon general for health-care operations.“It’s no secret that (fiscal 2004) has

  • Air University earns accreditation

    After an exhaustive three-year process, Air University has been granted initial accreditation by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools retroactive to Jan. 1.The commission accredits degree-granting higher-education institutions and entities that meet its

  • Advisers warn Congress about special operations retention

    Retaining special operations people is crucial to the war on terrorism, special operations senior enlisted advisers told Congress on July 20.Special operations troops are deployed around the world in greater numbers than at any time in history, officials said. These senior advisers -- responsible

  • Reservists provide humanitarian aid in Chad

    Armed with sufficient medications, medical equipment and a surplus of enthusiasm and care, a team of Air Force Reserve Command medical professionals provided aid to the central African nation of Chad as part of a humanitarian effort July 1 to 15. The 13-person medical team deployed with a Marine

  • Yokota pharmacy ensures a mission-ready force

    Airmen from the 374th Medical Group’s pharmacy here ensure Pacific Air Force’s most important weapon system -- its people -- are fit, healthy and mission-ready.Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians play a key role in reducing medication errors and improving pharmacy practices. The nine-person team

  • Pilot discovers he’s not an ‘American’ after all

    In a perfect world free of glitches, one 380th Air Expeditionary Wing pilot would have arrived at his deployed location hassle-free. But as glitches go, the one this officer ran into was one of the biggest. It all started when Maj. Donald Temple, a 10-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and