HARM targeting system ready ahead of schedule

The delivery of 15 Revision-7 pods in September to the Air Combat Command by the 693rd Armament Systems Squadron's High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile Targeting System Program is more than two months ahead of Raytheon's contract requirement date. The pod is mounted to the side of an F-16 aircraft and

Logistics officers given challenge at conference

The commander of the Air Force Materiel Command took the stage at the Logistics Officer Association National Conference Oct. 10 to tell 1,350 logistics officers to get lean and expect to be in a long war.Gen. Bruce Carlson gave the officers an overview of the enemy and how it exploits Islam and uses

Army posts special message to Airmen

In commemoration of the U.S. Air Force's 60th anniversary, a celebration that is being kicked off at the Air Force Memorial dedication, the U.S. Army has created and posted a special web message to all Airmen.  The message can be viewed by clicking on http://www.army.mil - visitors to the site will

AF Memorial: Leadership always at head of the bus

To lead by example is a critical component of leadership and especially important to 1st Lt. Shaenan Jett who joined the Air Force three years ago for the leadership opportunities. The vehicle operations assistant flight commander with the 316th Logistics Readiness Squadron on Andrews Air Force

AF Memorial: Warming up for the big show

AF Memorial: Airman a 'model' honor guard member

Forever standing guard over the Air Force Memorial, a color team bears the American and Air Force flags, flanked on each side by rifle guards. Depicted in these 8-foot statues are representations of Air Force Honor Guard members, past and present, who have each done a service to their country by

Air Force meets recruiting goal for seventh straight year

The Air Force met its recruiting goal for the seventh year in a row, but still faces challenges, said officials Oct. 12.In fiscal 2006, the Air Force brought in 30,889 individuals, exceeding its target by 130 Airmen, said Brig. Gen. Suzanne M. Vautrinot, commander of Air Force Recruiting Service.

AF Memorial: Opportunity name of the game

When a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity came around the corner, Staff Sgt. Ashanta Gamble jumped to do her part for the Air Force. Coordinating the Pentagon and Federal Aviation Administration approvals for the aircraft flying during the Air Force Memorial Dedication ceremony and Air Force Open House

Chief of staff of the Air Force reading list announced

Officials announced the new chief of staff of the Air Force reading list here Oct. 13. "Our reading list is a link from our heritage to the horizon before us," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley. "It's essential that we fully understand the heritage upon which we're building our

Navy officer leads AF squadron; celebrates Navy birthday

Oct. 13, 1775, holds a special meaning for the nation; it was the date the Continental Congress authorized the procurement, fitting out, manning and dispatch of two armed vessels to cruise in search of munitions ships supplying the British Army in America. This Oct. 13, the Navy's birthday will be

DOD identifies remains of pilot

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced Oct. 12 that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and will soon be returned to his family for burial with full military honors. He is 1st Lt. James L. Hull, U.S. Air Force, of

Memorial dedication to launch AF's 60th Anniversary observance

The nation's youngest military service kicks off its 60th anniversary observance this weekend with the official dedication of the Air Force Memorial at Arlington, Va. The memorial, composed of three bold and graceful spires soaring skyward to a height of 270 feet, will be dedicated and given to the

San Antonio hospitals team for military PTSD study

A proposed pilot investigation linking three of San Antonio's military research hubs is slated to treat and study servicemembers with symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The Prolonged Exposure for Combat-Related Stress Disorders study links Wilford Hall Medical Center, Brooke Army Medical

Fall 2006 quarterly issue of Airman available

Read about how basic military training is evolving to create Airmen warriors, celebrate 50 years of operational success with the KC-135 Stratotanker and the Airmen who keep it flying, discover the meaning behind the Air Force Memorial's design, and tag along with provincial reconstruction teams as

Air Force members earn Department of Energy awards

Saving energy and money while helping the environment earned the Air Force several Federal Energy and Water Management Awards.The awards, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy's Federal Energy Management Program, are given annually to recognize outstanding contributions toward increased energy

Guard has banner year for recruiting, retention

The National Guard recruited 19,000 more citizen-Soldiers and Airmen in 2006 than it did during the previous year and exceeded its retention goals by record numbers, Guard officials reported in early October. Concerted efforts to recruit new people into the Army and Air National Guard during the war

New Tricare Standard handbook released

Tricare officials are making a handbook available to all beneficiaries covered under Tricare Standard. This new manual goes into much greater detail than the old booklet, making it as useful as the Tricare Prime and Prime Remote handbooks. "We are publishing the standard handbook to help

MUTES trains deployed electronic warfare officers

Deployed Guardsmen from the 266th Range Squadron at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, are helping B-52 Stratofortress electronic warfare officers quickly identify potential aircraft threats at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, as part of the Air Force's continuous bomber presence in the Pacific. The

Cleanup program on fast track

When Andrews Air Force Base, Md., was placed on the Environmental Protection Agency's National Priorities List of contaminated sites in 1999, environmental restoration program managers estimated it would take until 2014 and millions of dollars to remedy the sites.With 23 sites and 10 areas of

Missing World War II Airman identified

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from World War II, have been identified and returned to his family for burial with full military honors. He is 1st Lt. Shannon Estill, U.S. Army Air Forces, of Cedar

AF prepares to dedicate memorial

Fifteen years after conception of the Air Force Memorial, construction is nearing completion this week in preparation for its dedication ceremony by officials Oct. 14 in Arlington, Va. The memorial, located on a promontory overlooking Arlington Cemetery, features stainless steel spires that

13th AF welcomes new commander, transforms operations

A one-year transformation of command and control of air, space and information operations in the Pacific ended here as 13th Air Force officially began operations as a component numbered air force headquarters and welcomed a new commander. Former Pacific Air Forces Deputy Commander, Lt. Gen. Loyd S.

Operation Enduring Freedom marks five years

Five years ago, America, still stinging from the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, began striking back in the war on terrorism.President Bush appeared on national television to inform the American people he had unleashed U.S. military might against the enemy. Land-based bombers and Navy strike aircraft from

AFIT school conducts search, recovery exercise

The Air Force Institute of Technology's Civil Engineer and Services School here took its educational mission beyond classroom walls as students participated in a search and recovery exercise the last week of September. The goal of the exercise was for students in the School's Mortuary Affairs Course

Air Force leaders to discuss new 'Cyber Command'

Air Force leaders are gathering in early November to discuss plans for creation of a new command, one chartered with flying and fighting in cyber space. Cyberspace became an official Air Force domain, like air and space, on Dec. 7, 2005, when Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Chief of

Letter to Airman focuses on Air Force heritage

In the latest Letter to Airmen, Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Chief of Staff of the Air Force T. Michael Moseley commemorate Air Force heritage. "Adaptive and flexible Airmen in uniform have continued to innovate, pushing the limits of imagination and technology to dominate the

Air Force announces team excellence awards

Air Force officials have announced the five teams selected for the 2006 Chief of Staff Team Excellence Awards. The awards recognize teams that used a systematic approach to enhance mission capability, improve operational performance and create sustained results. Improvements made by the five award

Defense Travel System evolves to better serve customers

The Defense Travel System continues to evolve as it efficiently serves military and civilian travelers on official department business, a senior military officer said Oct. 3. In November, DTS will introduce more upgraded features, such as fewer pages for travelers to fill out, said Col. Lynne

Air Force meets 2006 enlisted, OTS recruiting goals

The Air Force exceeded its fiscal 2006 enlisted recruiting goal of 30,750 by assessing 30,888 men and women into active duty from Oct. 1, 2005, through Sept. 30, 2006.Air Force Recruiting Service also was successful in recruiting line officers and chaplains, bringing in 485 line officers and 31

Air Force Reserve rescue crews save missing boater

Crews from the 920th Rescue Wing rescued the fifth and final missing boater Oct. 2 from a pleasure craft that capsized 15 miles off the coast of Jacksonville, Fla., on Oct. 1. The survivor was reported to be severely hypothermic when found by two Air Force Reserve Command HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter

Energy conservation a priority, group effort at McChord

Over the past 20 years, the Air Force has reduced facility energy usage by 30 percent by incorporating energy conservation into operations -- without impacting the mission -- and the Air Force is pushing to cut usage another 20 percent by 2015. For the last two years, McChord AFB officials have

JPAC team sheds light on missing crewmembers

An 18-member recovery team from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command here returned Oct. 1 from Vostenhof, Austria, following its attempt to recover remains from two individuals who went down with a B-17 bomber during World War II.On May 10, 1944, U.S. Army Air Force pilot 1st Lt. Stanley Dwyer and

Laughlin Airmen become Baron barnstormers for day

Oct. 2 was far from a typical day for one Airman whose normal routine includes drawing blood and trying not to make children cry in the process. When Senior Airman Robert Arrington, a medical lab technician with the 47th Medical Support Squadron was told he'd been selected to fly with the Red Baron

Air Force prepares to commemorate 60th anniversary

Big things are in store for Airmen, as Air Force leaders have planned more than a year's worth of commemoratory activities leading up to the Air Force's 60th anniversary, Sept. 18, 2007. Brig. Gen. Janet Therianos, director of the 60th Anniversary office at the Pentagon, said this upcoming year will

Missile squadron poised for 72-hour alerts

Missile combat crews in the 490th Missile Squadron here are helping the 20th Air Force transform missile operations as crewmembers started performing 72-hour alerts using three-person crews Sept. 30. Twentieth Air Force Commander, Maj. Gen. Thomas F. Deppe, suggested the 72-hour alert initiative and

Reserve personnel records continue going electronic

Continuing the process of transferring personnel records to an electronic format, Air Force officials will begin scanning the Unit Personnel Record Group of active-duty Airmen in October. "There is only one copy of the UPRG kept at each unit," said Jo Hogue, chief of master personnel records at the

VPP promotes safer, healthier work environment

Tinker Air Force Base is one of nine Air Force installations that will implement the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Voluntary Protection Program in an effort to reduce the number of work-related injuries and illnesses. Recently mandated by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, the

'Spouses to Teachers' program expands to Europe

Starting Oct. 1, military spouses in Europe interested in teaching can participate in the Department of Defense Spouses to Teachers program, which until now had been only available stateside. The program's services include information on state-specific educational requirements, teaching credentials

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

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

Instruments enhance space weather forecasts

Improving the prediction of ionospheric-created disturbances is the aim behind two weeks of digging through 3 feet of snow, ice and slush in the tundra of Greenland by four members of the Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate, with assistance from Danish

Research office underwrites Indian workshop

The Air Force Office of Scientific Research has agreed to underwrite an information assurance workshop planned by the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate Jan. 12 in Bangalore, India. AFOSR's Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development, with an initiative to increase

Liaison Aircraft Fly-In scheduled for Oct. 7-8

More than 30 aircraft will fly to the National Museum of the United States Air Force Oct. 7 to 8 to participate in the first Liaison Aircraft Fly-in. The fly-in, scheduled 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 7 and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 8 on the turf runway behind the museum, is free and open to the public.

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

Air Force general kicks off Texans, Redskins battle

The deputy director for the war on terrorism kicked off the battle between the NFL's Houston Texans and Washington Redskins by tossing the coin at Reliant Stadium Sept. 24. Brig. Gen. Mark O. Schissler, who works in the Joint Staff Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate in Washington, D.C.,

Crash investigation continues

Airmen here are continuing to investigate the Sept. 14 crash of an F-16 Fighting Falcon near Oberkail. The newest edition to the base's investigation team is Col. Peter Davidson the 616th Support Group commander at Ramstein Air Base. He is the lead investigator and accident investigation board

World War I soldier's remains identified

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced Sept. 22 the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from World War I, have been identified and returned to his family for burial with full military honors. This is the first time the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, or JPAC,

Emeril sponsors military-only cooking contest

If you're currently a chef on active duty in the armed forces, TV cooking-show icon Emeril Lagasse wants your favorite recipe. Emeril is looking for a military chef who has the right recipe and knows how to use it.Any military chef who has a favorite dish can enter the first Military-Only Emeril

PT gear in high demand at clothing sales stores

For the first time in the Air Force's 59 year history, Airmen reporting for physical training must show up in the same gear beginning Oct. 1. But while several agencies have been preparing for this change for some time, the last-minute rush on the new mandatory gear is creating an overwhelming

AFPC offers guidance to civilians nearing retirement

The Air Force Personnel Center's Benefits and Entitlement Service Team here encourages civilians who want to retire in the next few years to plan ahead and seek counseling early. Potential retirees should contact BEST at least one year before retirement to receive one-on-one counseling over the

Afghanistan's president notes progress, problems

Although progress has been profound and his country continues to move forward, terrorists have stepped up their efforts to derail that progress, Afghanistan's president told the United Nations General Assembly in New York Sept. 20. "We have seen terrorism rebounding as terrorists have infiltrated

Air Force takes down MySpace profile

The Air Force discontinued its user profile on the social networking Web site MySpace.com Sept. 19 after concerns that association with inappropriate content might damage the service's reputation. With close to 98 million registered users, MySpace.com was thought to be an ideal venue for the Air

New strategic communication tool online

A recently released publication aims to help Airmen and commanders become better strategic communicators when talking about the Air Force to the public. The Air Force Story, available now on this site, is a high-level summary of information about the Air Force, with topics ranging from heritage to

Strategic communication applies to every Airman

All Airmen have within themselves the ability to be strategic communicators and share the Air Force story with the public, said the Air Force's director of strategic communication at the Pentagon. "Airmen should be proud of who they are and what they do, and they should be proud to share that with

Illustrators draw on real-life experiences

In this digital era, a group of distinguished illustrators still volunteer their time and talent to capturing the Air Force mission on canvas. "When you look at an oil painting, you are looking at the (artist's) original thinking," said Keith Ferris. "Digital images can be altered countless times

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

Air Force announces OTS selections

Sixty-two men and women from across America have been selected for Officer Training School, officials here announced Sept. 19.Air Force Recruiting Service officials considered 296 applications as part of Officer Training School Selection Board 06OT04, which selected 62 people for a 21-percent

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

Air Force unveils new advertising campaign

The Air Force unveiled an innovative television and online advertising campaign Sept. 18 aimed at giving teens and Internet users a realistic view of life in the military. The "Do Something Amazing" campaign debuts the same day the Air Force celebrates its 59th year as a service. It is also being

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

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

Air Force Link highlights Air Force birthday

The Air Force Link Web site will help the Air Force celebrate its 59th birthday by posting photos Sept. 18 of Airmen on the job around the globe. There will be different photos posted every hour throughout the day to show Americans how their Airmen are celebrating the anniversary -- hard at work

POW/MIA Recognition Day reaffirms commitment

As Americans pause to observe POW/MIA Recognition Day Sept. 15, teams of military and civilian experts will be excavating sites in Europe, South Korea, Solomon Islands, Alaska and Hawaii, looking for remains to help identify servicemembers still missing from past wars. Teams from the Joint POW/MIA

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

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

Recruiting, retention remain solid

Five years after military recruiting hit the ceiling after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, recruiting remains solid, with every service meeting its active-duty recruiting goal for the 15th consecutive month. Recruiting and retention statistics for August, just released by the Defense Department,

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

Business changes dramatically for air operations center

The way business is done has dramatically changed at the 1st Air Force Air Operations Center here.Five years after 9/11, the AOC, which is responsible for U.S. air defense, has made serious networking and communications upgrades to improve their processes. "Our mission is to watch all the aircraft

Band builds international relations through music

Japanese and U.S. military bands performed here Sept. 9, building good community relations between U.S. Forces Japan and this town in the northwestern corner of mainland Japan that is home to a new military radar site."The way they joined together is a perfect example of the great relationship

Five years later Airmen remember 9/11, continue the fight

Sept. 11, 2001, is a day no American will ever forget, and Airmen serving around the world took time this Patriots Day to reflect on events just five years ago.Flags flew at half-staff and Airmen observed moments of silence around the world to commemorate the solemn anniversary. Coalition forces and

Tyndall ceremony honors 9/11 heroes, victims

More than 400 people attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the base chapel here Sept. 11 to honor the victims and heroes of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command sponsored the ceremony. The command's deputy commander, Brig. Gen. Marcel Duval, spoke

Thousands trek in 'America Supports You' Freedom Walk

They represented a cross-section of America -- thousands of men, women and children of all ages, races and backgrounds from every corner of the country. They came together Sept. 10 during the second annual "America Supports You" Freedom Walk here to pay tribute to those killed on Sept. 11, 2001. For

B-2 bomber excites crowd at Patriots game

A sellout crowd of more than 68,000 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., erupted when a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., did a surprise flyover before the game. "It is a great deal for me as a pilot, especially since I am from here, and I think it is a great

Pentagon crash-site memorial inspires gratitude, emotions

They were young and old, college students and retirees, rural visitors and city natives, government employees and private-sector workers, uniformed military personnel and civilians, black and white, Asian and Hispanic; but they all shared a common sense of purpose. They all wanted to see the

'Treasure Hunters' meet Air Force leaders

A team made up of Air Force Academy grads that recently competed on a reality-television show visited the Pentagon Sept. 7 and met with senior Air Force leaders. They also toured the Air Force Memorial site here. Husband and wife, Matt and Brooke Rillos, and their best friend, Matt Zitzlsperger,

Freedom Walks to commemorate 9/11, honor veterans

Tens of thousands of Americans in all 50 states and the District of Columbia are preparing to put on their walking shoes during the next few days as they participate in Freedom Walks to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and to honor veterans, past and

Fall '06 Air and Space Power Journal available

The College for Aerospace Doctrine, Research and Education at Air University has published and distributed the Fall 2006 English edition of the Air Force's professional journal, Air and Space Power Journal. The journal serves as an open forum for the presentation and stimulation of innovative

Air University offers online language training

Air University officials here are offering an opportunity to active-duty company grade officers to study a foreign language online at no cost. In an effort to fulfill the Air Force chief of staff's guidance to develop culturally and linguistically competent Airmen, Air University will present the

Rising fuel costs tighten Air Force belt

The growing cost of crude oil combined with increasing fuel demands of the war on terrorism are forcing Air Combat Command officials to brace for a budget crisis while looking for future fuel alternatives. The Air Force paid approximately $4.2 billion for petroleum in fiscal 2005 -- almost $1.4

Eglin receives award for historic building restoration

The Cultural Resources Branch here has been honored by the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation for their efforts in the restoration of one of the two Cape San Blas lighthouse keepers' quarters structures located on Eglin property in Gulf County. According to the trust's Web site, the 2006

Armed Forces Voters Week focuses on electronic options

The Defense Department is focusing efforts to ensure servicemembers stationed overseas and in the United States know their options for voting in the 2006 congressional and local elections. Sept. 3-9 is Armed Forces Voters Week. Officials caution that this is the last safe week to submit a Federal

AFMx21 defining, creating future of Air Force maintenance

Maintenance leaders from the Air Staff and major commands met in Dayton, Ohio, to discuss the current state of Air Force maintenance, trends, fiscal realities and vision through the year 2016.Known as "Air Force Maintenance for the 21st Century," or AFMx21, the program is championed by Brig. Gen.

Air Force Reserve tops recruiting goal again

For the sixth year in a row, Air Force Reserve Command officials have exceeded the command's recruiting goal.AFRC Recruiting Service surpassed its goal for the 2006 recruiting year Aug. 31 when officials accessed its 8,001st recruit as the number of people signing up continues to climb. Col. Francis

CENTCOM air commander: supporting ground troops top priority

When describing the vast scope of the air mission in support of ground troops waging the war on terror, the commander of U.S. Central Command Air Forces paints some graphic images. In addition to its daily average of 74 close-air support missions in support of combat missions in the region, Air

Operational missile defense test a total success

A test of the Ground-based Missile Defense System today was a total success, said Lt. Gen. Henry A. Obering III, director of the Missile Defense Agency.General Obering called today's test, the first operational one for the system, a huge step in fielding of the missile defense shield. He said he

U.S. forces support Japanese earthquake drill

U.S. military forces based in Japan cooperated with Japanese officials in a major earthquake disaster response exercise here Sept. 1. The annual drill was based on a large-scale earthquake in the Tokyo area and helped Japanese government officials examine national, regional and local levels of

After Katrina: ACC's intel team applies lessons learned

The men and women of Air Combat Command's intelligence directorate haven't been stocking up on distilled water and plywood, but they are prepared for the busy part of the 2006 hurricane season or any natural disaster that might affect the United States. "We're light-years ahead of where we were this

Electronic travel system streamlines business process

The Air Force has completed deployment of a new computerized travel system at all its major installations. The Defense Travel System was installed Aug. 10 at Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., marking the end of a nearly three-year deployment of the system to bases in both the United States and

NASA invites students to help astronaut count the stars

NASA and the Canadian Space Agency are collaborating on a new education activity that helps students become astronomers. The Star Count Project will investigate the visual quality of the night sky and help assess the extent of atmospheric light pollution.There are many factors that affect how many

Airmen experience tip of expeditionary spear

Most Airmen have experienced the expeditionary air and space force, but for about 170 Airmen serving in the military personnel exchange program, the term "expeditionary" takes on a whole new meaning. Officers and senior NCOs serving in the MPEP are assigned to nearly three dozen foreign air forces

Annual Combined Federal Campaign kicks off

The 2006 to 2007 Combined Federal Campaign runs for six weeks Sept. 1 through Dec. 15 for both continental United States and overseas bases. The local federal coordinating committee will establish exact dates and campaign goals in each geographic area; this information will be available through

Airmen assist with volcano disaster relief

An eight-person Air Force medical readiness team is providing assistance to Ecuadorians affected by the Tungurahua volcano eruption here Aug. 16. Airmen from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.; Travis AFB, Calif., Minot AFB, N.D., and Goodfellow and Lackland AFB, Texas, specialize in dermatology;

AF Space and Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame inducts 6

Six trailblazers were inducted here Aug. 24 into the Air Force Space and Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame for their significant accomplishments in the advancement of space and missile programs in the Air Force. The inductees, whose work formed the basis upon which Air Force Space Command now operates,

Running for more than fitness

In a country at war against Taliban extremists who banned women's education, more than 900 runners and walkers participated in a Women's Equality Day 5K fun run and walk here. Congress designated "Women's Equality Day" in the United States Aug. 28, 1971. The date commemorates the 1920 passage of the

Rumsfeld salutes servicemembers' global efforts

America's 2 million men and women in uniform are meeting demands around the globe and "are doing a terrific job," Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said Aug. 25. But with 138,000 troops in Iraq and an ongoing need to modernize the force, defense officials "have to continue to find ways to see

Web site to outline voting options for Americans overseas

A new Web site being developed by the Defense Department will provide information on electronic voting options for servicemembers and other U.S. citizens living overseas. The Integrated Voting Alternative Site is scheduled to be accessible Sept. 1. It will include information from all 55 states and

Air Force and FAA collaborate on launch safety requirements

Air Force and Federal Aviation Administration officials strengthened their long history of cooperation and partnership in the commercial space launch safety arena today with the publication of the FAA's Licensing and Safety Requirements for Launch document, Code of Federal Regulations Title 14 Part

Unique mission: Guarding a space wing missile complex

The rolling prairie hills here are blanketed with wind-driven swaying fields of golden grain. With an average of nine people per square mile in this state, the farm lands here seem to be a postcard setting for tranquil, peaceful living. Appearances can be deceiving. One hundred and fifty Minuteman

Keesler Air Force Base: One year after Katrina

Bent but not broken by the worst natural disaster in the nation's history, Keesler's recovery continues to exceed expectations. "The damage to the base by Hurricane Katrina was a staggering $950 million. With that in mind, no one imagined in the days immediately after Aug. 29, 2005, we'd be where we