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U.S. Air Force News

  • Technology helps BRAC 2005 environmental efforts

    The Internet, new technology and other tools not available in previous Base Realignment and Closure rounds are helping the Defense Department meet its environmental responsibilities in the current round of closures, a top DOD official said. Alex Beehler, assistant deputy under secretary of defense

  • Streamlined operations merit award for Warner Robins

    The Warner Robins Air Logistics Center received an award for its efforts to streamline its C-5 Galaxy aircraft repair and overhaul processes. The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences announced May 1 that the center won the 2006 Franz Edelman Award for Achievement in

  • Air Force earns three DOD environmental awards

    Three Air Force installations received awards for their environmental stewardship at a Pentagon ceremony May 3. Dyess Air Force Base, Texas; Tinker AFB, Okla.; and Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, earned 2005 Secretary of Defense Environmental awards. Representatives from each base were at the ceremony

  • Palace HART helps injured Airmen

    A common trait exists among the injured Airmen recuperating at hospitals in the capital region, said the Air Force chief of staff. “Every Airman I’ve met wants to return to active duty and (his or her) unit,” said Gen. T. Michael Moseley in recent testimony on Capitol Hill. “I am proud of them and

  • Andrews and Bolling medical assets to combine in new wing

    The 89th Medical Group from Andrews Air Force Base, Md., and the 11th Medical Group at Bolling AFB are scheduled to combine into the 79th Medical Wing May 12. Maj. Gen. Robert L. Smolen, the Air Force District of Washington commander, will preside over the wing activation ceremony at Andrews. Brig.

  • C-5 recovery efforts continue at Dover

    One month after a C-5 Galaxy crash-landed less than a mile short of the runway here, recovery operations are proceeding on schedule, officials said. All 17 people on board survived the April 3 crash.“We started the recovery effort the same day of the mishap and have been working every day since,”

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary.Coalition aircraft flew 50 close-air-support missions May 3 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary. Coalition aircraft flew 54 close-air-support missions May 4 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities, and operations to deter and disrupt

  • TV writer embeds with medical teams in Iraq

    In a first for Hollywood, the Air Force was able to embed a screenwriter with a medical unit in Iraq for research on a proposed television series. Jeff Eckerle visited the Air Force Theater Hospital at Balad Air Base, Iraq, from April 7 to 16 in order to help develop the series, based in part on the

  • Blood platelet collection begins at Balad

    When coalition forces are wounded on the battlefield, sometimes it takes more than a skilled medical team to save their lives. It takes blood, and lots of it.With the help of apheresis, a new capability at the Air Force Theater Hospital here, doctors now have a ready supply of platelets, one of the

  • Reserve wing, Army unit join forces at Red Flag-Alaska

    The Air Force Reserve Command's 934th Airlift Wing, lead wing for the Elmendorf component of Red Flag-Alaska 06-2, is working with the Army’s 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, to ensure both units receive the training they need. The coordination began about nine months ago

  • Guam reservists support cargo hub at Incirlik

    Twelve reservists temporarily assigned to the 728th Air Mobility Squadron had to travel a long, long way from home to get here. The Airmen, who are with the Air Force Reserve Command's 44th Aerial Port Squadron at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, traveled more than 72 hours to participate in a

  • Air Force names 2005 Mission Support Award winners

    The winners of the 2005 Mission Support Awards were announced May 2.The results are: PersonnelGen. Robert J. Dixon Personnel Award: Senior Master Sgt. Jimmy Jones, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. Gen. Horace M. Wade Innovation Award: Tech. Sgt. Wendy Davis, Tyndall AFB, Fla. Gerrit D. Foster Jr.

  • Joint exercise tests Reservists' skills

    Two climbers were missing for more than two days on Mount Hood -- that was the scenario when Reservists from the 304th Rescue Squadron in Portland, Ore., partnered with five civilian rescue organizations in a search and rescue exercise. Approximately 50 search and rescue professionals from the

  • Joint Forces Command focuses on seamless operations

    Ensuring military services are able to work seamlessly with each other, coalition partners, government agencies and nongovernmental organizations is no small feat. But U.S. Joint Forces Command's top officer said work on the challenge is progressing well.Gen. Lance L. Smith said the top focus for

  • Airmen help Iraqi pilots fly again

    Pilots from the Iraqi Air Force are waiting patiently for a team of Airmen to arrive from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. It’s this team that can get them up in the air and flying again. The mission of the Iraqi 3rd Squadron hinges on the work of the Air Force Flight Test Center. The center sent a

  • B-52 presence welcomed by U.S., coalition forces

    Thirty thousand feet above Afghan terrain, the presence of B-52 Stratofortresses is felt. Their presence is welcomed by U.S. and coalition forces fighting in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, but not welcomed by the terrorists who operate from there. Maintaining the fleet of B-52s here is no

  • CENTAF releases air power summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's air power summary. In Afghanistan May 2, Air Force F-15 Eagles successfully struck two caves near Asadabad with precision-guided JDAMs. Initial reports indicate secondary explosions were seen from the caves, used by enemy forces to store

  • Managing ‘million’ means mission might

    Some people just can’t seem to manage their back yards. But the small team of experts at the 56th Range Management Office here can’t afford not to, despite the fact that their back yard is 1.05 million acres of land known as the Barry M. Goldwater Range. This range supports more than 45,000 flying

  • Long hours the norm for deployed Globemaster crews

    It is contrary to what common sense dictates. A series of short C-17 Globemaster III flights demand intense aircrew energy and stamina. But longer sorties remain more physically manageable. “Either way you look at it, our C-17 crews put in long hours that place physical and mental demands on the

  • Airmen make history in Iraq

    Five Airmen have joined aviation pioneers Gen. Henry H. “Hap” Arnold, Gen. James H. "Jimmy" Doolittle and Brig. Gen. Charles “Chuck” Yeager in a select group -- all are recipients of the Clarence Mackay Trophy. To the five-person crew, the flight over northern Iraq that put them in the record books

  • Air Force mandates virtual outprocessing

    All Airmen undergoing permanent change-of-station moves, retirements or separations are now required to use the Virtual Outprocessing application available through the Virtual Military Personnel Flight. Airmen can enter the vMPF by logging onto the Air Force Personnel Center's secure Web site where

  • Andrews radio operators assist crewmembers worldwide

    As an Air Force aircraft approaches Yokota Air Base, Japan, the pilot sets his radio to a specified frequency and says, “Main Sail, Main Sail” -- the call sign for any global radio station. Within seconds, the pilot hears, “This is the Yokota operator.” That operator is actually with the 789th

  • Aggressors enhance Red Flag-Alaska 06-2

    The presence of the 64th Aggressor Squadron, based out of Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., enhances Red Flag-Alaska 06-2, the annual Pacific Air Forces exercise formerly known as Cope Thunder.Renaming and restructuring the exercise, which began April 24, is part of the Air Force chief of staff’s vision.

  • Incirlik controllers vital link in communications process

    When the red light flashes, command post controllers react quickly because any delay could impact the mission of this base. The alarm could be a call about inclement weather. Or it could be a call for a first sergeant about a Red Cross notification. It could signal force protection changes or

  • Retreat reconnects couples before, after deployments

    On the banks of the Guadalupe River, a veterans group hosts a retreat that helps couples reconnect so they can better cope with life after deployments. Six couples attended the retreat hosted by the Military, Veteran and Family Assistance Foundation at the Heart of the Hills Camp here from April 20

  • Collaborative tools assist initiatives during JEFX '06

    The Air Force Command and Control Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Center sponsored a new collaborative tool that was part of the Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment 2006 here. The Integrated Battlespace Collaborative Communications tool, known as IBC2, was tested over the new Tactical

  • Air Force leaders highlight contribution to warfighters

    Participants in the Joint Civilian Orientation Course touring the U.S. Central Command area of operations April 29 learned about the mission the Air Force carries out in support of troops on the ground. Lt. Gen. Gary North, commander of U.S. Central Command Air Forces, described the magnitude of the

  • ‘Paintbarn’ Airmen improve mission, preserve environment

    Airmen at the paintbarn here not only are working more efficiently, they also are doing their part to help preserve the environment. Thanks to a paint gun and equipment-cleaning system, the Airmen have reduced the amount of paint thinner contaminant waste they create by 99.991 percent. The base,

  • Children of deployed parents need consistency

    Consistency is key for children as their military parents deploy, a university psychologist said. Dr. Frederic Medway, psychology professor at the University of South Carolina, has been publishing research on family separation issues since 1987. He said his work has shown that while children of

  • Guard, Reserve leaders testify before appropriations committee

    In recent testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense, representatives of the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve updated senators on the status of the forces. The panel questioned Lt. Gen. John A. Bradley, chief of Air Force Reserve and commander of the Air

  • Chief McKinley selected as 15th CMSAF

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley has named Chief Master Sgt. Rodney J. McKinley to serve as the 15th chief master sergeant of the Air Force. Chief McKinley will assume his new position July 1, following the June 30 retirement of Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray.

  • Researchers focused on satellite energy storage

    An eight-person team at the Air Force Research Laboratory's Space Vehicles Directorate here believes their experiment will demonstrate the innovative technology of combined attitude control and energy storage on a satellite by the summer of 2007.The experiment consists of  three flywheels spinning

  • Aircraft maintenance accident investigation complete

    Air Mobility Command today released the results of its investigation into the Dec. 17, 2005, mishap involving an aircraft maintenance technician assigned to the 60th Air Mobility Wing at Travis Air Force Base, Calif. The Accident Investigation Board, convened by AMC, concluded the primary cause of

  • CENTAF releases combined airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for April 28 to 30.April 30In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-52 Stratofortress provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with enemy forces near Asadabad. The B-52 successfully expended precision-guided JDAMs against

  • Air Force engineers take a jump

    Joint operations are not a new concept here. It’s a way of life for many units on base. But for a new breed of Air Force joint operators, this week’s Joint Forced Entry Exercise was a chance to get off the ground -- literally. The Airmen are part of Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair

  • Orphanage favorite off-duty destination for Manas Airmen

    Children at an orphanage here have become accustomed to a weekly ritual. Teachers wake them from naps or gather them from activities into a common area, the door opens, and people with boxes, bags and armfuls of treats walk in. The kids run for hugs and in a moment they’re scattered like it’s

  • HVAC: Keeping you cool

    Most people either love them or hate them. Maybe it isn’t that melodramatic, but when people are sweating at their office or while trying to sleep they don’t have many good things to say about the heating, ventilation and air conditioning, or HVAC, shop. The HVAC shop here is responsible for more

  • Air refueling squadron takes flight to fuel the fight

    Fighters are in the air 24 hours a day, providing constant support to ground forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. Without midair refueling, that coverage would be lost. The 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron provides fuel to those thirsty fighters as they keep troops on the ground safe, said Lt.

  • Tyndall receives F-22 maintenance trainer

    An F-22A Raptor touched down at Tyndall April 19 on its final flight. The aircraft will now be the new ground instructional trainer, solely dedicated as the airframe for aircraft maintenance technical school students. "Previously, the 43rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit was required to provide an

  • CROWS gets Airmen out of the turret

    A new weapon system in the Air Force arsenal takes Airmen out of the gun turret and into the safety of a fully up-armored Humvee. The 506th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron operates the only Common Remote Operated Weapon Station, or CROWS, in the Air Force inventory. As one of three security

  • SECAF discusses current, future personnel issues

    Ensuring the Air Force operates fiscally is akin to anyone budgeting and paying for household and living expenses. The costs involved must be balanced and paid in order to maintain a certain lifestyle. For the Air Force, some of the business costs reside in the targeted reduction of 40,000 full-time

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary.Coalition aircraft flew 34 close-air-support missions April 27 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities, and operations to deter and disrupt

  • Air Force test team launches 'overhauled' Iraqi aircraft

    Airmen from several Air Force bases spent two months preparing, disassembling, rebuilding and testing an Iraqi Air Force Comp Air 7SLX, which had its first test flight here April 25.The aircraft is considered experimental, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. It is designed to be an

  • New civilian personnel system set to kick off April 30

    The first phase of the new National Security Personnel System is ready to launch April 30. Spiral 1.1 includes 11,000 Defense Department civilian employees throughout the United States. "The most important message is that we are ready," said Mary Lacey, NSPS program executive officer. "Employees are

  • Luke sees big rewards from marketing environment

    The environmental flight at any one Air Force base is like any other across the Air Force. They are always looking for new ways to protect the environment while improving the Air Force’s quality of life. That is why education and awareness programs are their bread and butter. “I love to educate,”

  • Reward of dangerous job is saving lives

    One might think explosive ordnance disposal troops are adrenalin junkies. But they are meticulous about their work and don’t take unnecessary risks. However, because they deal with explosives placed by the enemy, the risk is real. “We all know the consequences,” said Tech. Sgt. William Sistler, a

  • Combat balloon to improve communications

    Warfighters who depend on ground communications for mission success will soon have improved technology, thanks to a system currently under examination here at the 2006 Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment. Combat Skysat uses balloons to take advantage of untapped airspace and improve line-of-sight

  • FAST Airmen fly thousands of miles to keep aircraft safe

    Gathering equipment and getting weapons from the armory in preparation for the day’s patrol is something security forces Airmen do every day. But for the members of the 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron’s fly-away security team, the patrol will take them to five airfields and cover almost

  • Medical team shares invisible bond

    “After what I saw last night, I understand why American Soldiers love their country. America values human life. Last night, no matter what the soldier’s injuries or the soldier’s rank, there were 10 medical specialists working on each Iraqi soldier. We are proud to have American Soldiers as our

  • Coalition forces integral part of JEFX 2006

    As military members continue to test future warfighting capabilities during Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment 2006, they do so in a multiservice, multinational environment. Because United States forces often fight wars with troops from other services and other countries, such is the case for JEFX

  • Exercise lets Airmen prepare for real thing

    Surface-to-air “threats” are frequent at Red Flag-Alaska 06-2, as aircrews try to slip past simulated, enemy ground fire during the exercise that began here April 24. The challenge helps aircrews practice their warfighting skills over the Pacific-Alaska Range. There are Airmen from some 20 Air Force

  • Airmen improve base for Soldiers in northern Iraq

    In the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, Airmen from the 332d Air Expeditionary Wing are using their construction expertise to help the U.S. and Iraqi governments and the U.S. Army. The 557th Expeditionary Red Horse Squadron is deployed in support of the Army's 555th Combat Support Brigade (Maneuver

  • Travis cyclists pedal with the president

    When the person on the other end of the telephone line told Capt. James Weinstein to choose four of his mountain biking club’s best riders to join the president of the United States for a ride, he thought it was a joke. “I was like, 'Yeah right, who is this really?'” he said. However, after the

  • Independent duty tech's role a versatile one

    Although they have officially existed in the Air Force since the early 1950s, independent duty medical technicians can trace their roots to the days of the Roman Empire, who put the word medic into our vocabulary. Today, these IDMTs are often known as "Doc" to the Airmen they treat. Medical care has

  • Program aims to eliminate threat to aircraft

    The team of four works to save lives, aircraft and money, usually behind the scenes. They are vital to the mission of this forward operating location serving Operation Enduring Freedom by running the Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard, or BASH, program. The 40th Air Expeditionary Group safety office

  • Munitions distribution involves detailed accuracy

    Not all of the Airmen assigned to the 23rd Maintenance Squadron’s munitions flight build bombs. “Having munitions issued to any customer, whether it is for the A-10 (Thunderbolt II) or C-130 (Hercules) aircraft, a special tactics troop or a cop, involves a significantly detailed process,” said

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary.In Iraq April 25, coalition forces killed 12 terrorists during a raid of a foreign terrorist safe house. Upon arrival at the target, coalition ground troops came under direct fire and called for an air strike to neutralize

  • C-130 Hercules support coalition operations

    The 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron here has been supporting Operation Mountain Lion since it began April 12. The squadron’s C-130 Hercules aircraft have delivered supplies such as food, water and ammunition for coalition combat operations. “Our crews helped position personnel and equipment to

  • Warfare flight works behind the scenes

    The hum of computer fans, the tapping of fingers on keyboards and the occasional ring of a telephone are all that are normally heard in this office. But don't let the quiet fool you -- the office staff is working to ensure that technological advances aren’t being used against the Air Force. The 8th

  • JEFX focuses on battle operations, communications

    The Theater Battle Operation Net-centric Environment and the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node -- known as TBONE and BACN -- are two of the initiatives being tested during the Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment 2006. The combined air operations center, or CAOC, is the experiment’s

  • Air Force issues request for information on tanker recapitalization

    The Air Force has issued a request for information, or RFI, today for its tanker recapitalization program.The Tanker Systems Modernization Systems Squadron of Aeronautical Systems Center’s Mobility Systems Wing here sent out the RFI for publication in Federal Business Opportunities and will manage

  • Luke Airmen share environmental innovation

    A small group of Airmen here have spent the past several days sharing an Air Force environmental innovation and educating some leaders of tomorrow. These environmentally conscious Airmen are volunteers in the base’s environmental quality program. The innovation is a new environment-friendly

  • Tactical recon paying dividends with TARS

    A little-known capability here is paying big dividends for warfighters on the ground. Air National Guard F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 332nd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron are using the Theater Airborne Reconnaissance System, or TARS pod, to provide high-quality still imagery to ground commanders

  • Missions begin with air tasking order

    Though Red Flag-Alaska 06-2 is an enhanced training opportunity for the U.S. military, the game is still the same: war. Air Force active duty, National Guard and Reserve units from across the United States are participating in the two-week joint training exercise that started April 24.Since

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary report

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary report.In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-52 Stratofortress and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with enemy forces near Asadabad during Operation Mountain Lion. The B-52 dropped

  • Air Force Audit Agency to work under new personnel system

    Nonbargaining unit employees of the Air Force Audit Agency here will become the first employees here to work under the long-awaited National Security Personnel System April 30. While Wright-Patterson, in general, isn't slated to roll out NSPS until January, NSPS officials said they will watch the

  • NCO mentors through martial arts

    Once a gang member himself, an information manager with Detachment 2 of the 17th Test Squadron now uses kicks and punches to keep teenagers out of trouble. To his co-workers at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Colo., he is Staff Sgt. Dave Armstrong. To his students at the Hillside Community

  • Histopathology provides rapid diagnosis

    Physicians often determine the presence and cause of diseases in patients through histopathology, the study of human tissue under the microscope.“Histopathology has evolved with pathology as a science,” said Capt. (Dr.) Jonathan McClain, chief of the 89th Medical Support Squadron histopathology

  • Surviving sexual assault: One victim’s story

    When she woke up, everything in her life had changed. Her best friend no longer existed. At least his status as her best friend was now gone. That changed instantly and forever when she found him on top of her, assaulting her. The evening began as any other for Amanda -- not her real name. The

  • Center provides life-like situations for real-time training

    A civilian aircraft exploded over the skies of western Virginia, shot down by two F-16 Fighting Falcons flying nearby, while an unmanned aerial vehicle was blasted away as it buzzed up the Potomac River toward the nation’s capitol April 19.But no one was ever in any danger. That’s because the

  • CENTAF releases combined airpower summary report

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary report for April 22 through today.April 24Coalition aircraft flew 52 close-air-support missions April 23 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction

  • NCO awarded $10,000 for IDEA

    A good idea led to a good reward for an Airman from the 5th Maintenance Squadron here. Tech. Sgt. James Mazurek was awarded $10,000 from the Air Force Innovative Development through Employee Awareness program April 13. He submitted an idea to insert a warning paragraph to the technical orders for

  • Hot stuff: Firefighters test gear for Air Force

    Being a firefighter is arguably one of the most physically demanding jobs. For that reason, the Air Force is finding ways to make the job easier. Sixteen firefighters here are testing new protective gear that may increase comfort, mobility and mission effectiveness for more than 3,600 active-duty

  • Rough conditions take their toll on vehicles

    Vehicles -- everybody needs one, everybody wants one. But without proper upkeep, they break. That is where the mechanics with the 407th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron’s vehicle maintenance flight come in. The flight’s 27 technicians and two supply Airmen maintain about 400 vehicles here.

  • 9th Air Force commander visits Moody

    The 9th Air Force commander visited here April 18 and 19 to welcome the 347th Rescue Wing back to Air Combat Command, and visit other units. During his visit, Lt. Gen. Gary L. North toured the Senior Airman Jason D. Cunningham Airman Leadership School, various wing squadrons and the 820th Security

  • F-22 CTF tests missile noise, vibration

    The F-22 Combined Test Force here achieved another first when an F-22A Raptor flew with an AIM-120D missile in its weapons bay to test the effect of noise and vibration on the missile.What was unique about the April 14 flight was that the weapon on board, the latest version of the AIM-120 Advanced

  • A hero returns home

    Tears welling in the eyes of family members, a bugler playing Taps and honor guard members rendering a 21-gun salute are all part of the highest honor given to America’s sons and daughters who die on the fields of battle. A fallen serviceman who fought in Vietnam will finally receive those honors,

  • Weather squadrons complete merger

    Moving with the Air Force’s Smart Ops 21 initiative, the 20th Operational Weather Squadron from Yokota Air Base, Japan, merged into the 17th Operational Weather Squadron at Hickam. To cover its vast, new 95-million square mile area of responsibility, the 17th OWS assembled into one center, improved

  • Air Force wrestlers compete in Las Vegas tournament

    The Air Force wrestling team competed April 12 through 15 in the USA National Senior Men’s and Women’s Wrestling Championships at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Of the approximately 30 Air Force members who competed, one was able to advance to the USA Wrestling World Team Trials. Capt. Anthony

  • Red Flag-Alaska readies Airmen for deployment

    Red Flag-Alaska 06-2 participants have arrived and set up shop at this interior Alaska base to prepare for the annual exercise previously called Cope Thunder. More than 1,500 active duty, Reserve and Air National Guard Airmen, 84 aircraft and an Army and Navy unit will train for two weeks in the Air

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary.In Afghanistan April 20, coalition aircraft flew 22 close-air-support missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. They included support to coalition and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and presence route

  • Reserve engineers build station for Saint Lucia police force

    This tiny, 238-square-mile Caribbean island getaway has lush rain forests, sandy beaches bordering crystal clear water and pleasant weather. For six months this year, teams of Air Force Reserve civil engineers are spending their two-week tours on the isle in the Lesser Antilles Archipelago. They're

  • Close-air support just a phone call away

    Imagine being pinned down by enemy forces, with no relief in sight. Now, imagine picking up a phone and calling your friendly local fighter pilot, flying overhead only miles away, for help. With the new Fighter Aircraft Communication Enhancement, or FACE, pod, ground units in combat are now able to

  • All together now: Civil engineers team up for project

    Almost nothing changed on the outside of the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing headquarters here until the final week of the renovation. There was always something indicating work -- trenches, heavy machinery, dusty workers taking a quick break at the gazebo. But the metal exterior itself didn’t give any

  • Air Force photographer receives exceptional civilian award

    A civilian Air Force photographer was presented an Exceptional Civilian Service award by the Secretary of the Air Force here April 17. For 50 years, Ron Hall has documented Air Force history using still photography.“He’s made more than 18 secretaries of the Air Force and 16 chiefs of staff look a

  • Air Force helicopter crew rescues Korean woman

    The crew of an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter from Detachment 1, 33rd Rescue Squadron here, rescued a 74-year old Korean woman from Yeong Pyeong Do Island in the West Sea April 19.The helicopter, flown by Capts. Chris Spindler and James Humphrey, began its life-saving mission at approximately 3 p.m.

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary.Coalition aircraft flew 38 close-air-support missions April 19 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities, and operations to deter and disrupt

  • Air Force garners 15 Presidential Rank Awards

    The White House has released the names of the 2005 Presidential Rank Award recipients. Winners of the awards are strong leaders, professionals and scientists who achieve results and consistently demonstrate strength, industry and a relentless commitment to excellence in public service. The

  • Pods help warfighters improve air combat maneuvers

    Knowledge is power and power is influence. In the case of fighter pilots, this knowledge enables them to control adversaries in the air and on the ground. At the Ogden Air Logistics Center, the collection of information leading to air superiority begins with maintaining Air Combat Training System

  • Exercise prepares academy students for cyber warfare

    In an obscure office park midway between Baltimore and Washington, about 50 men and women use laptop computers to break into networks at the nation's military service academies. When one of them is successful at penetrating a networked computer, they get up and ring a bell."We hit a remote desktop

  • Reserve aircrew airlifts CE teams supporting war on drugs

    A C-17 Globemaster III aircrew flew civil engineers to this tropical isle as part of ongoing support for the war on drugs. The mission also provided an opportunity for the aircrew to maintain their proficiency.The transport started its circuitous mission April 7 at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C.,

  • Team tests pod at 'LITENING' speed

    Three Air Force units have started accelerated testing of a LITENING-AT targeting pod. The 416th Flight Test Squadron here is working with the 85th Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and the 422nd OTES at Nellis AFB, Nev., to update the existing LITENING pod with

  • Hill begins modifications on F-22A Raptor

    A new era is under way for members of the 309th Maintenance Group here as they modify their first F-22A Raptor. This was the first of 12 to 14 aircraft scheduled to visit Hill this year for minor modifications. A total of 18 are contracted to undergo work here. "We're excited," said Guy Phillips,

  • Air Force honors cadet of the year

    The Air Force honored its 2005 Cadet of the Year at a ceremony in the Pentagon April 17. The honoree, 2nd Lt. Janelle Jenniges, is a graduate of the University of Nebraska - Lincoln’s Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 465. “She’s the top graduate out of all our commissioning

  • Cheney thanks Fairchild Airmen for support

    Vice President Richard B. Cheney told servicemembers gathered at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., they are playing a key role in the war on terrorism and that their countrymen believe in them and their mission. The vice president visited the home of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing April 17 and told a

  • Service demographics offer snapshot of force

    The Air Force Personnel Center here recently published its quarterly demographics report offering a snapshot of the service's active-duty and civilian force, as of March 31. More information can be found at the center's analysis branch website: www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/demographics/. Statistics

  • Base defense mission goes beyond perimeter

    Most security forces Airmen patrol the base looking for anything out of the ordinary and pull 12-hour shifts in towers along the fenceline.But, for Airmen assigned to the 506th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, their mission is different. They take the base defense mission beyond the wire and

  • Chaplain goes south of the Equator for Easter

    Deployed members of the 552nd Air Control Wing could not attend Easter services in Oklahoma this year, so the base took Easter Sunday to them.Chaplain (Capt.) Mike Curtis of the 72nd Air Base Wing here deployed to South America to provide Easter services for troops who do not have a chaplain

  • Officials announce 2006 Hennessy Trophy winners

    Air Force Services Agency officials have announced the winners of the 2006 Hennessy Trophy awards. The Hennessy Trophy is an annual award presented to Air Force installations with the best food-service programs. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the single- and multiple-facility category