AFSO 21 helps unit reduce steps, increase proficiency

The 726th Air Mobility Squadron recently conducted an Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century value stream analysis looking for ways to streamline C-17 Globemaster III refueling and increase proficiency levels. The unit pooled Airmen from a variety of backgrounds to participate in the AFSO

Maintainers make it happen during Red Flag-Alaska

During Red Flag-Alaska, thousands of feet above the rugged Alaskan terrain, pilots push their aircraft to the limits, performing dog fights and defensive maneuvers against aggressors, honing their skills for combat missions. However, pilots aren't the only ones who are contributing to mission

A-10 pilots take to Bulgarian skies during joint exercise

U.S. and Bulgarian air force pilots are honing their close air support and combat search and rescue skills during a joint training exercise April 7 to 28 here.While the exercise was a reunion for Bulgarian and American partnership efforts, this is the first time the 81st Fighter Squadron from

JAG Airman provides unique service while deployed

Many Air Force attorneys spend their days providing legal counsel and preparing legal documents, but for one Air Force captain being deployed means serving in a one of a kind legal position. Capt. Sophia Crawford, detention, judicial and legal policy attorney in the Office of the Staff Judge

Personnel accountability system live AF-wide; May exercise planned

Air Force officials implemented the Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System April 1.  The new program improves global disaster personnel accountability management, reporting and case management across the force.  They plan to test the system in a force-wide exercise May 19 to 21.

Joint airpower show proves military might at Air Force Week

Hundreds of Virginia residents saw a joint airpower demonstration firsthand during Hampton Roads Air Force Week April 22 along the coastline of Virginia Beach. The event included a simulated rescue where a special forces team called in airstrikes then ran into the Atlantic Ocean to be rescued by

Airmen, Marines work together to test-load helicopters

Playing a game of inches, a team of Airmen and Marines worked together April 20 to test-load two Marine helicopters into a C-5C Galaxy.With inches to spare, Airmen from the 60th Aerial Port Squadron here and Marines from the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron-303 and HMLA-367 at Camp

JCS chairman says Holocaust Remembrance Day important

The top U.S. military officer called on servicemembers to use Holocaust Remembrance Day observances this week as an opportunity to reflect on the responsibilities of life, reminding them that the decisions they make matter. "The story of the Holocaust, however ghastly, offers us an opportunity to

F-22s, B-2s fly together over Pacific Ocean

Twelve F-22 Raptors departed here recently following a deployment marking the first time F-22 Raptors and B-2 Spirits, the key national strategic stealth assets in the Air Force inventory, deployed together outside the continental United States. The Raptors arrived in January and were joined by the

Air Force civilians garner 22 Presidential Rank Awards

Twenty-two civilian Airmen earned special recognition in a ceremony held at the Women's Memorial at Arlington Cemetery April 17. The selected Air Force senior executives and senior professionals received the 2008 Presidential Rank Award for sustained achievement in government service. Air Force

Task force seeks sexual assault response feedback

Members of the Defense Task Force on Sexual Assault in the Military Services visited Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst recently to speak with base leaders, sexual assault response coordinators and other base personnel. The task force, which was chartered by Congress to look at sexual assault response

Squadron hosts 'Buddy-Wing' Program

Members of the 25th Fighter Squadron here hosted Airmen from South Korea's 15th Composite Wing April 13 to 15 for a "Buddy Wing" exercise and exchange program. The purpose of the program is to introduce and review tactics, exchange ideas and improve interoperability between the U.S. Air Force and

Security team provides safety net for Airmen

Airmen riding the bus outside the wire for the first time may not realize it, but they're not alone out there. The 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron's security escort team, armed and ready, are out there making sure each of those Airmen get to where they need to be safely. Selected by

Airman's Roll Call: Mentoring critical to development

This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on Air Force mentoring, a program designed to prepare Airmen for increased responsibilities. Air Force mentoring covers a wide range of areas, such as career guidance, technical and professional development, and leadership. The program's benefits include

Guard, Reserve honor employers during Air Force Week

Air Force officials honored the support of civilian employers of the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve at an Air Force Week awards presentation April 21 at the Hamptons Golf Course here. After participating together in a golf tournament, Airmen from the Air National Guard and Air Force

Air Force lights up 'Operation Change Out'

All 64 major Air Force bases in the United States are participating in the Energy Star Operation Change Out: The Military Challenge campaign to change out incandescent bulbs with new energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs, or CFLs. The campaign is a joint effort between the Department of Defense

Sustaining the mission through green innovation

On April 22, the Air Force will join the nation in observing Earth Day. On this occasion, we take the opportunity to reflect on our daily commitment to excellence and leadership in protecting and preserving the environment and our natural resources. As we fly, fight, and win today and in the future,

Tuskegee Airmen visit Pentagon

VA welcomes veterans home with new Web site, blog

The Veterans Affairs Department has launched a new "Returning Veterans" Web site to welcome home veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts with a social, veteran-centric site, VA officials announced today. "VA is entering the world of Web 2.0, because that's where this generation of veterans is

Hanscom heritage event highlights heroes

During this quarter's Heritage of Freedom event here April 15, a group of speakers enlightened the audience about resolve, heroism and meeting warfighter's needs.  And, the emotional impact of a reunion was a powerful moment for those in attendance when a once-downed pilot reunited with the man who

Senior enlisted leader summit set for May

The Air Force's top enlisted leader is set to convene the 2009 Senior Enlisted Leader Summit May 3 to 8 at Maxwell Air Force Base's Gunter Annex, Ala. Command chief master sergeants, career field managers, professional military education commandants and other key senior enlisted leaders from Air

Airmen honor America's veterans during Air Force Week

Air Force officials honored America's veterans during a Hampton Roads Air Force Week ceremony April 20 at the Boo Williams Sportsplex arena here. Officials from Langley Air Force Base, Va., recognized all veterans from all of America's wars and displayed some of the professionalism and precision of

Air Force officials emphasize bystander intervention

Airmen have the power to stop sexual assaults. The Air Force Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office staff is leading the effort to empower Airmen with this concept. The key to that empowerment is bystander intervention. If Airmen witness a situation that could lead to an assault, they have an

Clouds lift for 'Cadet for a Day'

For eight years, Academy cadets have been making wishes come true for ill youngsters. They made it happen again April 9 through Saturday when Joe Hayford, 13, became the newest Cadet for a Day through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. "His eyes were huge, and he never quit smiling," said Wish volunteer

Panjshir PRT unites Airmen, Soldiers for common cause

A team of nearly 80 individuals, including 25 Airmen and 12 Soldiers, come together to perform a critical mission in Afghanistan's Panjshir Province. All of the servicemembers come from different walks of life, but now come together to help the impoverished province. One year ago, Staff Sgt. David

Thousands honor Doolittle Raiders at the 67th Reunion

Thousands of people, young and old, gathered to honor five of the nine surviving Doolittle Raiders at the 67th Reunion in Columbia, S.C., April 16 to 18. On April 18, 1942, the Doolittle Raiders, led by then-Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle, became the first to bombard Japan following the attack on Pearl

Med team trains with Chilean air force medics

A team of 11 Air Force medics from the 59th Medical Wing at Wilford Hall Medical Center here participated in a medical readiness training exercise, or MEDRETE, with 31 Chilean air force medics in March. "This was clearly different from a routine 'humanitarian mission' as surgical subspecialty care

'Today's Air Force' features arrival of C-130J in Europe

Three key stories in this edition of "Today's Air Force" include how Iraqis are expanding their role in security, Ramstein Air Base officials accepting delivery of their first C-130-J Super Hercules and Air Force Week 2009 kicking off in Hampton Roads, Va. In the Iraqi story, see how Airmen are

Air Force Week commences at Hampton Roads

Hampton Roads Air Force Week began here April 18 with an opening ceremony at Hampton University. The date chosen for the event's kick off was also the anniversary of the historic Doolittle Raid, occurring on this day in 1942. Moments into the ceremony, a fly-over by a B-25 Mitchell, the aircraft

Joint Base Balad security Airmen patrol Iraq villages

K-9, handler work together to keep servicemembers safe

It is often said a dog is a man's best friend. For a Joint Expeditionary Tasking, or JET, Airman here, his dog is not just a friend, but a tool that could mean life or death for servicemembers patrolling the Iraqi streets. Senior Airman William Bailey, a military working dog handler and JET Airman

Vice president visits Whiteman

"We owe you and your families, and we are putting our money where our mouth is," said Vice President Joe Biden. That was the overall message he shared with more than a thousand Whiteman members during a troop rally April 16. "We are tremendously proud of our global mission and our ability to execute

Busy BEEs keep base buzzing

The "BEEs" here aren't as concerned with honey as they are the chemicals which could potentially be found on base. While the 379th Medical Group bioenvironmental engineering, or BEE, flight is responsible for many things, their primary concern here is the base water supply. "In the deployed

Hero of the Hudson visits alma mater

Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, who saved U.S. Airways Flight 1549 with a heroic water landing in January, returned to the roots of his aviation career here Wednesday to accept a coveted flight award from the Air Force Academy. Captain Sullenberger, a 1973 graduate, received the 2009 Colonel

TacSat-3 to demonstrate rapid delivery of imagery

Providing up-to-the-minute data to the in-theater commander can act as the tipping point to achieve success on the battlefield, and demonstrating that capability has been planned for the Tactical Satellite-3's upcoming, year-long mission. Serving as the spacecraft's primary payload, the Advanced

National Security Personnel System goes under microscope

The federal government's largest pay-for-performance system, the National Security Personnel System, is under review at the request of officials in the Defense Department and the Office of Personnel Management. Since October 2006, about 205,000 defense employees were brought under the new NSPS,

Foreign aircrews train at Altus for multi-national mission

Instructors at the Air Force C-17 Aircrew Training Center here are preparing foreign aircrews for a first-of-its-kind mission in Hungary. A multi-national consortium consisting of 10 North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries and two Partnership for Peace nations created the Strategic Airlift

Air Force officials modernize mentoring program

As Air Force officials continue to modernize the processes to meet 21st century mission requirements, manpower and personnel force development officials have taken a hard look at the service's mentoring program to increase its effectiveness. "Our mentoring program has existed on paper for many

F-22 exchange pilot helps strengthen U.S., Australian ties

A Royal Australian Air Force pilot assigned to the 90th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron has had the opportunity to fly the Air Force's premier fighter, the F-22 Raptor, as part of a foreign pilot exchange program. Squadron Leader Matthew Harper is an F-22 instructor pilot and the 90th EFS flight

Top officer cites Coast Guard-Air Force ties

The top Coast Guard officer said the Air Force and the Coast Guard have more in common than one might think. During a speech about homeland security, Adm. Thad Allen, Coast Guard commandant, told this to Air War College students here April 9 . The bedrock of the relationship between the two services

CBRNE: Training that matters

Training. From the first day of arriving at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, to the time Airmen separate from the Air Force, they train. Airmen enhance their skills from life saving techniques to ensuring aircraft are able to carry out global operation contingencies. One training experience valuable

Hanscom Airmen to help Iraqis control, defend their airspace

Members of the 350th Electronic Systems Group here are working to bolster Iraq's air force with the capabilities needed to better defend the country's airspace.A formal request for proposal is due out next month to provide long-range radars to Ali Base, Iraq, to help Iraqis detect incoming air

Project builds bond between U.S., Kyrgyz Republic

A symbolic ground-breaking ceremony was held April 14 in Birdik Village to signify the start of a school renovation project between the United States and the Kyrgyz Republic.Nearly two weeks after work began on the $470,000 project to repair the school, a ceremony was held to recognize the

Kunsan fighters participate in Red Flag-Alaska

Approximately 150 Airmen from the 8th Fighter Wing are at Eielsen Air Force Base, Alaska to participate in Red Flag-Alaska. Red Flag-Alaska is a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored exercise for U.S. Forces. It provides joint offensive counter-air, interdiction, close-air support and large force employment

Congressional staff members visit AFPC

Professional staff members from the House Armed Services Committee's subcommittee on military personnel visited the Air Force Personnel Center here April 15 to learn more about the many initiatives the center has undertaken to deliver personnel services to Airmen and civilians. Some of the

New policy refines ancillary, expeditionary skills training

As Air Force officials focus on giving Airmen more time to do their primary duty and reduce additional duties, senior leaders issued new policy guidance in March to streamline ancillary training and expeditionary skills training programs. "Air Staff, the A1 (personnel) community and major command

Victim advocates support, assist survivors

A group of Airman from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing at an air base in Southwest Asia stood up and volunteered to be victim advocates as their part to prevent sexual assaults in the Air Force. Last year, Airmen throughout the Air Force reported more than 620 cases of sexual assault. There are two

Air Force officials test ability to recall retirees

Todd Worley and Robert Shelly hadn't seen each other in about ten years. Both are retired Air Force master sergeants. They recently met up again at the 2009 Air Force Push-Pull exercise here. The Air Force used the exercise to test their ability to recall retirees to active duty should they ever

Charleston Airmen fly honorable mission

Charleston Air Force Base C-17 Globemaster III aircrews flew the most precious of cargo April 7 -- the remains of a fallen hero. Army Spc. Israel Candelaria Mejias of the 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment in Task Force 3rd Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 172nd Brigade Combat Team from

AFSO 21 improves cargo process more efficiently

Experts from Vandenberg's Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century program here are in middle of a month-long process alongside 30th Logistics Readiness Squadron officials to plan ways to make the cargo area of Building 5500 a more efficient work environment for its Airmen and management. The

SECAF, CSAF announce 2008 safety award recipients

Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz have announced the recipients of the 2008 Air Force safety awards. "We're grateful for the hard work of these award-winning individuals and organizations, and all Air Force safety professionals throughout the service,"

Airmen provide clean water for stricken Arkansas town

Five Arkansas Air National Guard Airmen restored clean water to the Dierks community April 21 following an April 9 tornado that destroyed the town's water treatment plant April 9.The Airmen from the 188th Fighter Wing's Civil Engineer Squadron helped the small Southwest Arkansas town by using two

Airman field-tests modified PT uniform in Iraq

An Airman here was selected to field-test the Air Force's modified physical training uniform while deployed here to provide feedback to Air Force leaders at the end of the testing process. Senior Airman James Debiase, a 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron emergency manager, was asked to

Airman's Roll Call: AF assistance campaign ends May 1

This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on this year's Air Force Assistance Fund campaign, which ends May 1. The campaign began Feb. 9 and provides Airmen the opportunity to contribute to any of the four official Air Force charitable organizations. Now in its 36th year, 100 percent of the designated

Uniforms for the fallen are always perfect

An Airman irons the long sleeved shirt, giving it sharp military creases. A Soldier and a Marine spend hours building ribbon racks, making sure every ribbon is correct and that the devices are equally polished and bright. A Sailor looks over the jacket, pants and shirt, ensuring all excess strings

Space station module name honors Apollo 11 anniversary

The International Space Station module formerly known as Node 3 has a new name. After more than a million online responses, the node will be called "Tranquility." The name Tranquility was chosen from thousands of suggestions submitted by participants on NASA's Web site, www.nasa.gov. The "Help Name

Airmen synchronize airpower with Soldiers

Airmen in Southwest Asia must work with other American servicemembers to have synchronized forces support a ground commander's mission objectives. In today's joint combat operations, these Airmen work with Army ground liaison officers who are trained in offensive air support activities and translate

Airman coordinates air ops for Iraqi detainees

There are thousands of Iraqi detainees located in different detention facilities throughout Iraq who require air travel for everything from detainee transfers to attending court cases, and thanks to one Air Force captain, the Iraqi detainees get where they need to go. Capt. M. Kathryn Kotora, Joint

Medal of Honor recipients visit Airmen in Southwest Asia

Two Medal of Honor recipients visited with Airmen from the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing April 10 here. Retired Army Col. Robert Howard and retired Army Command Sgt. Maj. Gary Littrell, visited as part of a Medal of Honor Society tour of the area of responsibility. The Vietnam veterans who earned the

Leader magazine transitions from print to online

In keeping with the evolving mediums for information dissemination, the Leader magazine has ceased production of its print version and has become the Leader Online. The new Web site features Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps, Air Force Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadets and

Military doctor cites need for early intervention of autism

A Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences faculty member discussed Autism Awareness Month recently and the importance of early, proper diagnosis and treatment of children. "Parents should feel confidence in raising questions about whether their child has autism," Dr. Janice Hanson told

New 'eMagazine' informs servicemembers, families

All the support programs in the world won't do any good if no one knows about them, so the Defense Department's principal director for military community and family policy started the office's new "eMagazine." "What I found when I came up here was they have great programs and so forth, but they

'Voices of Men' gives unique insight on sexual assault

Nobody would expect a guy dressed like Austin Powers to educate people about sexual assault awareness. But as part of the nationwide observance this month to raise awareness about one of the country's most under-reported crimes, Defense Department officials here developed fresh initiatives and

Academy space fleet continues to grow

The U.S. Air Force Academy's space fleet grows even larger this year with the launch of one satellite, continued operations of a second satellite and design work underway for a third. The newest addition will be FalconSAT-6, which is on the drawing board now. The FalconSAT space fleet is a series of

VA secretary embraces 'personal calling' of serving veterans

Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki is a no-nonsense leader who wants veterans to measure his performance and that of the department he leads through concrete results, not rhetoric. "Veterans have been given a lot of promises over a bunch of years, and I have assured them that they should

'Today's Air Force' features dignified transfers

This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the new policy for the transfer of fallen military members, a Purple Heart Medal recipient, a winter sports clinic for the disabled and a smoldering type of training: firefighting. A new policy has been approved by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates

Space Station module name to be announced April 14

NASA's newest module for the International Space Station will get a new name on April 14. Agency officials plan to make the announcement with the help of Expedition 14 and 15 astronaut Sunita "Suni" Williams on Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report." The program will air at 11:30 p.m. EDT. The name,

Reserve commander meets with deployed reservists

Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner Jr., Air Force Reserve Command commander, visited with Reserve members April 8 and 9 during a multi-base tour of the Air Forces Central area of responsibility. General Stenner, who is also chief of Air Force Reserve, took the opportunity to dine with Reservists and

BEAR builds new quarters for forces at Manas

A Basic Expeditionary Airfield Resources team recently made room for the influx of coalition forces here as more military forces shift from Iraq to Afghanistan. A nine-member Basic Expeditionary Airfield Resources team, known as BEAR, lent their construction skills to Manas Air Base where two 4,000

Ceremony recognizes new NATO members

A flag ceremony marking the accession of Croatia and Albania as the 27th and 28th members of NATO was held April 8 at Allied Air Component Command Headquarters Ramstein. Gen. Roger A. Brady, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and NATO Allied Air Component Command at Ramstein officiated the

Tax rates change for retirees, annuitants

Retirees and annuitants may see a change in the amount of money they receive May 1 thanks to a new tax credit. Public Law 111-05, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, was signed into law by President Obama on Feb. 17. This act authorized a tax credit for most workers including

Air Force officials discuss building partnerships

The Building Partnerships Symposium concluded March 25 here with members from around the Air Force discussing the necessity of including building partnerships into Air Force doctrine."This symposium was important because we were able to create a clear definition of building partnerships for the Air

Active-duty, reserve components meet recruiting goals

All 10 active-duty and reserve military components met or exceeded their recruiting goals in March, with the Marine Corps adding the highest percentage of active-duty members, Defense Department officials announced April 10. The Army Reserve led the reserve components, and all four active

Airmen make pledge to prevent sexual assaults

While American and coalition forces continue fighting the war on terrorism, there are silent criminals among the warriors who cause battle wounds of another kind: sexual assault. There were 165 sexual assault reports in Iraq and Afghanistan during fiscal 2008, a dramatic increase compared to the 131

Pararescuemen conduct water test of new NASA capsule

Six pararescuemen from Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., conducted recovery testing on a mockup of NASA's next-generation spacecraft March 8 at the Trident Turn Basin here. The team of pararescuemen from the Air Force Reserve's 920th Rescue Wing deployed an inflatable flotation collar during the test of

President salutes former prisoners of war

President Barack Obama issued a proclamation April 9 marking Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, noting that American prisoners of war exemplify the courage and sacrifice that defines the nation's men and women in uniform. "These brave warriors have paid a massive share of the costs of freedom,

VA budget adds mental-health services for combat vets

The proposed Department of Veterans Affairs funding request will provide more post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury services to combat veterans, as well as other mental-health care and services for wounded warriors, President Barack Obama said April 9. "The nightmares of war

Reading program reaches out to military families

Through the program's military initiative, doctors and nurses at 20 military hospitals, including one in Germany, soon will receive training on how to promote early literacy for children. They also will be provided with free books to present to parents with children ages 6 months to 5 years when

Tiered construct defines future expeditionary skills training

A guarantee to eliminate duplicate expeditionary skills training requirements for all Air Force personnel through a four-tiered construct is now in effect by officials here. "This new construct ensures Airmen receive appropriate expeditionary education and training at the appropriate time," said

Developmental education application deadlines set

Civilians and officers considering intermediate or senior developmental education in academic year 2010 to 2011 have until May 1 and May 6, respectively, to submit their applications for consideration by the selection board here. Officers apply using a Web-based application, while civilians submit

Eielson emergency teams respond to base fire

Eielson Air Force Base emergency responders responded to a fire in a base housing residence within five minutes and helped mitigate property damage April 6 here. "There was smoke coming out of an upstairs window and a woman was screaming that her daughter was still inside," said Staff Sgt. Cody

Security forces unit provides combat support to Iraq

Airmen from the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Det. 3, provide outside-the-wire combat support by doing everything from patrolling as police transition teams to performing intelligence operations to using military working dog teams to help Iraqi police with security. "The mission of

CSAF addresses 386th Airmen during AOR visit

The Air Force's top officer spoke to 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Airmen as part of a visit to the Air Forces Central area of responsibility April 6 and 7. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz also took time to visit the Airmen of the 387th Air Expeditionary Group and speak with the combat

Safety experts spearhead efforts to minimize bird strikes

Americans witnessed firsthand the severity of bird strikes when U.S. Airways Flight 1549 crash landed in the Hudson River in New York City after hitting a flock of birds in January. Lt. Col. Charles Wallace and his team of seven safety experts with the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Safety Office here

Top spouse discusses deployment family issues

The Air Force's top spouse discussed the challenges Air Force members and their spouses face during deployments while she visited the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing April 6 and 7. Suzie Schwartz, wife of Air Force Chief of Staff Norton Schwartz, has long been considered a champion of military spouses

AFMC will use new media to announce award winners

Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs officials are venturing into the world of new media and for the first time will attempt to report the annual AFMC Enlisted Awards live as names of Airmen selected are announced April 9 at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. A Public Affairs

Center team works to connect new fighters, bomber

An airborne networking team here is working to connect low-observable aircraft such as the F-22 Raptor, F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Lightning II and B-2 Spirit with each other, and with the rest of the force. These aircraft rely on a number of technological advantages to defeat adversaries and

Airmen in personal effects office take small items to heart

Watches, coins, photos, dog tags and necklaces. To many, these are just items carried or worn by military members, even when serving in places like Iraq or Afghanistan. For families of the fallen, these simple items may be cherished keepsakes that serve as reminders of their son or daughter who paid

Heritage Coat production uncertain despite favorable reviews

Though Air Force officials here have not made a final decision on the new service coat, pre-decisional results show Airmen who sampled the Heritage Coat gave it high marks. Survey feedback showed 92 percent of wear test participants deemed the coat suitable for military uniform, and overall 66

Helicopter pilots train Japanese forces on air refueling

A team of HH-60G Pave Hawk pilots here provided a three-day intensive course on air refueling to Japanese Self Defense Forces helicopter rescue pilots in late March over Japan. The training, given by pilots from the 33rd Rescue Squadron, gave JASDF members hands-on helicopter air refueling training.

Airmen help launch satellite into orbit

The Air Force's second Wibeband Global Satellite Communications satellite was successfully launched into orbit April 3 by officials from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. WGS-2 joins the service's first WGS satellite that was launched Oct. 10, 2007. The WGS system significantly increases the

Dutch, U.S. air forces unite for training

Boarding an airplane can be cumbersome. Most cabins are roughly 8 feet wide and 6 feet high, with an aisle barely wide enough to fit a person and a carry on. Imagine navigating through the cabin in the dark, loaded down with gear. Add an element of thick black smoke and the intense heat of a fire,

Space education seeks prominence

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff's newly-released special area of emphasis, "Space as a Contested Environment," draws attention to the reality that the United States can and will be challenged in space, and that military education needs modification to address this reality. The overall goal

Airman's Roll Call: Sexual Assault Awareness Month

This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on Web sites, campaigns and other events, observing Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Defense Department officials launched a new Web site and campaign April 3 that gives servicemembers fresh initiatives and new teaching methods to prevent sexual

'Visions of Valor' portraits honor heroes

"Visions of Valor" are on display at the U.S. Air Force Academy as a collection of black-and-white portrait photographs of 140 Medal of Honor recipients was presented by TriWest Health Alliance officials April 3 at the McDermott Library here. David McIntrye, the TriWest chief executive officer,

Family care forum kick starts Year of the Air Force Family

Senior Air Force officials and family care professionals set the direction for the Year of the Air Force Family April 2 here. More than 200 Air Force behavioral specialists, chaplains, family advocacy personnel and other family support members separated April 1 into five groups and focused on

Ramstein welcomes new J-model C-130

Ramstein's first J-model C-130 Super Hercules aircraft was welcomed by a capacity crowd April 7 during an arrival ceremony here. Tail number 8601, the first of 14 J-models in production for the 86th Airlift Wing, also serves as the first Air Force Super Hercules permanently stationed at an overseas

U.S., Indian air forces discuss partnership efforts

Senior air force officials from India and the United States met here March 25 through 29 to discuss operational concepts and to chart the way ahead for future training exchanges and exercises. This year's executive steering group meeting focused on the review and assessment of joint and combined

Guard F-16s intercept suspicious aircraft

Airmen on Air National Guard fighter aircraft from two states intercepted a suspicious aircraft as it flew into U.S. airspace April 6. North American Aerospace Defense Command officials directed F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 148th Fighter Wing from Duluth, Minn., to initially intercept the

Officials discuss Air Force role for Africa Command

Officials from Air University, U.S. Africa Command and the 17th Air Force kicked off a symposium March 31 to foster recommendations for the Air Force's involvement for Africa Command. The 17th Air Force, also known as U.S. Air Forces Africa, is the air arm of the new unified command and the main