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  • Missileers reunite for 45th anniversary of first Minuteman launch

    The return of the “missileers” here Feb. 1 marked the 45th anniversary of the first launch of an Air Force Minuteman missile. About 100 people who worked on various intercontinental ballistic missile programs here during the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s gathered for a reunion in the city of Cape Canaveral.

  • 12th Air Force embraces 'A staff' structure

    The Air Staff at Headquarters Air Force in Washington is switching to the “A staff” structure today. However, the staff functions at 12th Air Force are already organized under the “A staff” structure.Twelfth Air Force, located at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., restructured in June 2004. Since

  • Air Force Assistance Fund campaign begins Feb. 13

    This year's Air Force Assistance Fund "Commitment to Caring" campaign, from Feb. 13 to May 5, will provide Airmen the opportunity to contribute to any of the four official Air Force charitable organizations. Now in its 33rd year, 100 percent of designated AFAF contributions will benefit active-duty,

  • New contract begins for Tricare dental program

    Tricare Management Activity will begin its new Tricare Dental Program, or TDP, contract with United Concordia Companies Inc. Feb. 1. United Concordia will continue to furnish worldwide, comprehensive dental coverage to include preventive, diagnostic, restorative and maintenance services to all

  • Overseas EQUAL list available Feb. 1

    The Overseas Enlisted Quarterly Assignment Listing will be available Feb. 1 for overseas requirements, October to December. Airmen should work through their military personnel flights or commander's support staff to update their preferences. Deployed personnel should work with their personnel

  • Chief makes history, home at 433rd AW

    “When I was told that I was the first African American female chief in the 433rd, I was proud because I have made a milestone,” said Chief Master Sgt. Laverne Vick, who has been with the wing her entire 28 years in the Air Force Reserve. “I wanted to set an example so I wouldn’t be the last and

  • Tuskegee Airmen leave strong legacy

    On July 19, 1941, the Army Air Force began a program in Alabama to train black Americans as pilots for the first time. Civil rights organizations and the black press exerted pressure that resulted in the formation of an all black pursuit squadron based in Tuskegee, Ala., in 1941. They became known

  • Memorial services held for fallen Airmen

    More than 500 Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and multinational partners attended a memorial service Jan. 27 to pay their final respects to two Airmen who were killed in Iraq by an improvised explosive device Jan. 22. Tech. Sgt. Jason Norton, 32, and Staff Sgt. Brian McElroy, 28, were assigned to

  • American, Korea forces combine efforts in peninsula-wide exercise

    Seventh Air Force launched a peninsula-wide exercise Jan. 23 with a combination of forces from Osan, Kunsan and South Korea. This exercise was the largest in South Korea in recent history. “Seventh Air Force Headquarters, the 51st Fighter Wing and the 8th Fighter Wing have completely integrated into

  • Headquarters Air Force realigns similar to 'J-staff' model

    The staff functions at Headquarters Air Force, major commands and warfighting headquarters will soon all share the same "A-staff" structure. By Feb. 1, the Air Staff at Headquarters Air Force here will adopt an organizational structure that closely mirrors the Army's "G-staff," the Navy's "N-staff"

  • Official outlines voting guidelines for overseas citizens

    U.S. servicemembers and federal employees stationed overseas need to act quickly to request absentee ballots for this year's primary and general elections, a Defense Department official said here Jan. 25. This year, U.S. citizens will elect 34 senators, the entire House of Representatives, 37 state

  • Children experience 'deployment' firsthand

    For many children, it’s an experience they’ve already been part of when Mom or Dad prepare for deployment -- the processing, the goodbyes, the welcomes home. But this time they got to experience it firsthand in Operation Jr. R.A.P.T.O.R, or Real Air Patriots Training on Readiness. More than 190

  • Piece by piece, information can yield secrets when put together

    These days modems come built into computers and Internet access many times is cheaper than regular telephone service. It seems everyone has a license to cruise the information super highway. There are a variety of ways for people to interact across the globe, such as e-mail, chat rooms and instant

  • DOD encourages overseas voters to register for 2006 elections

    In 2006, U.S. citizens will elect 34 senators, the entire House of Representatives, 37 state governors and hundreds of state and local officials. Overseas voters and military personnel have a variety of means that will enable them to participate in the 2006 elections, starting with the primaries

  • Air Force ranks No. 1 for renewable energy use

    The Air Force purchased more renewable energy than any other member of the Environmental Protection Agency’s green power partnership last year, according to a report released Jan. 24 by the EPA. The partnership, which is sponsored by the EPA, consists of U.S. companies and organizations that

  • Security forces work side by side with Soldiers in Iraq

    Imagine searching door to door with Soldiers, looking for insurgents, high-value targets and weapons caches in Iraq. Envision the nerve it takes to do the job after having another Airman in the area critically injured by an improvised explosive device, or IED, only two weeks after being assigned to

  • Reserve command helps BRAC-affected personnel

    Air Force Reserve Command has created a new program to help Reservists and civilians navigate Base Realignment and Closure, or BRAC, changes. The programs include a BRAC guide, member-tracking codes, two clearing houses, e-mail boxes and an archive. All are designed to assist those affected by the

  • Nine Airmen to represent AF at boxing championship

    After two weeks of intense training and one tournament, nine Airmen have been selected to represent the Air Force at the Armed Forces Boxing Championship at Ventura Naval Base, Calif., Feb. 6 to 11. The boxers are: -- 1st Lt. Rodney Ellison, F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo.; -- Senior Airman Celsa

  • Force-shaping officers can go into Reserve

    "One weekend a month, two weeks a year." This catch phrase has been repeated on television commercials over the years, but for those facing the Air Force's force-shaping initiative, it may soon become a reality. Joining the Reserve is one option open to those lieutenants affected by force shaping.

  • CMSAF Murray visits Southern Command units

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray toured units throughout U.S. Southern Command Jan. 16 to 19 to express Air Force leaders’ appreciation for what Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and civilians within the command do every day. Chief Murray visited Airmen in Honduras, Ecuador,

  • Barksdale lends helping hand in filming movie

    Barksdale Airmen helped movie crews film “The Guardian” here Jan. 12 and 13. Although originally slated to shoot in New Orleans, the devastation of Hurricane Katrina quickly changed the movie’s plans. “We were planning on making the movie in New Orleans. Obviously, Katrina hit, and we had to move

  • Tips offered for tax season

    Tax season has once again arrived, and military personnel should know several things to make their returns easier and more beneficial, a military official said here yesterday. One of the most notable changes to the tax code this year is the addition of provisions for victims of hurricanes Katrina,

  • Air Force takes delivery of first production Global Hawks

    The first of two production Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicles began flying missions in support of the global war on terrorism within hours of arriving in theater earlier this month. The aircraft -- managed by the Aeronautical Systems Center's Global Hawk Systems Group here -- are part of the 12th

  • 5+1+1 equals U.S. air superiority

    Five + one + one = the ability to direct the command and control of U.S. and coalition air power across the globe. “It also equals seven of course. That's the number of ‘Falconer’ air and space operations centers, and Falconer support centers, how online with common capabilities,” said Lt. Col. Rob

  • Where there's smoke, there's training

    Being caught in a burning building would be terrifying. It’s not an experience most people would welcome. And yet for some, it is. For two brave souls with the 506th Expeditionary Medical Services Squadron, the opportunity to don a full protective suit and go into the smoke simulation burn trainer

  • Start date for new personnel system pushed back three months

    Defense officials have scaled back the initial group of civilian employees to fall under the new National Security Personnel System to 11,000 from a previously scheduled 60,000, officials announced Jan. 17. The implementation date was also changed from Feb. 1 to April 30. Personnel officials have

  • ROBE upgrade sets KC-135 on forefront of battle communications

    A KC-135 Stratotanker here was fitted with upgraded communications equipment recently which will revolutionize battle space and the way the United States and its allies fight wars. After 18 months on the drawing board, the Roll-On Beyond Line-of-Sight Enhancement Spiral 2 program, ROBE, has been

  • Air Force announces selections to captain

    The Air Force has selected 1,027 first lieutenants for promotion to captain, with a selection rate of 98.28 percent. The list of selectees is posted on the Air Force Personnel Center's officer promotions homepage at www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/offprom. The calendar year 05C Captain Selection Process

  • Trainees learn attention to detail through 'warrior' mindset

    You won't find today's basic trainees hunched over brown T-shirts, tugging at them with tweezers to make perfect 6-inch squares. Instead, you will soon find Airmen who have mastered the M-16 rifle, can identify its components, field-strip and clean it, and reassemble it without the slightest

  • Andersen AFB: growing to meet its mission

    The eyes of U.S. military leaders are once again focused here to provide peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. “The strategic importance of Andersen is rejuvenating,” said Col. Michael Boera, the 36th Expeditionary Air Wing commander. “No longer is Andersen the sleepy hollow it’s been

  • Kadena pilot in good condition

    An F-15 Eagle from the 44th Fighter Squadron here crashed at approximately 10 a.m. today during an air-to-air training mission. The location of the crash site was at an area known as W-173, an over-water training zone about 65 miles (55 nautical miles) northeast of here. The fighter jet was part of

  • 'Air and Space Power Journal' winter edition available

    The College for Aerospace Doctrine, Research and Education at Air University has published and distributed the Winter 2005 edition of the Air Force's professional journal, "Air and Space Power Journal." Published here, the Air and Space Power Journal serves as an open forum for the presentation and

  • Rex the Dog finds new home

    A 21st Security Forces Squadron Airman is the first military working dog handler allowed to adopt her K-9 partner from active duty. Tech. Sgt. Jamie Dana, a military working dog handler, has been waiting since August for the official word after she requested to adopt her K-9, Rex. The two were

  • 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 Dec. 31. More information can be found at online at www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/demographics. Statistics rounded to the nearest tenth.

  • Post-Katrina relief operations bolster community recovery

    Keesler is at the forefront of the battle to restore the Mississippi Gulf Coast of Hurricane Katrina’s wake. After the storm devastated the base and surrounding communities Aug. 29, Keesler’s training mission temporarily stopped as it recovered and began humanitarian relief operations, or HUMRO. The

  • 45 selected for test pilot training

    Forty-five pilots have been selected for the Air Force test-pilot program by a selection board at the Air Force Personnel Center. Most of those selected will attend the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. One will attend the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School at Patuxent

  • Air Force announces medical, dental officer promotions

    The Air Force has selected 67 lieutenant colonels, 173 majors and 308 captains in the medical and dental corps for promotion. The list of promotion selects is posted on the Air Force Personnel Center's officer promotions homepage at www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/offprom. The board considered 1,310

  • AF selects four Airmen to vie for GEICO awards

    The Air Force selected four Airmen to compete for the 2005 Government Employee Insurance Company Military Service awards. The Airmen are now authorized to wear the Air Force Recognition Ribbon and will compete against the nominees selected by the other military services. -- Staff Sgt. Lindsay J.

  • Wynne: AF needs to recapitalize

    With the combination of aging and heavily used equipment, the Air Force needs recapitalization across the board, Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne said. In past discussions about Air Force recapitalization, aircraft usually took center stage. Although aircraft still need to be

  • Air Force improving production with Smart Operations 21

    The Air Force used the best parts of several civilian efficiency programs to develop an Air Force-unique process-improvement program called "Smart Operations 21," Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne said. The program will take the Air Force forward in a journey of self-improvement, the

  • Guard, Reserve benefit from 2006 defense authorization

    The 2006 National Defense Authorization Act signed into law Jan. 6 provides new or enhanced benefits for National Guard and Reserve members, a senior defense official said. President George W. Bush signed the legislation Jan. 6, providing a variety of benefits designed to bring reserve-component

  • 2006 defense budget increases military pay and benefits

    President George W. Bush ushered in an across-the-board 3.1 percent military pay raise, effective Jan. 1. It includes a variety of new or enhanced benefits for servicemembers and their families when he signed the 2006 National Defense Authorization Bill into law Jan. 6. In addition to a pay raise

  • New Mexico Tech to build on Kirtland

    The Air Force conveyed more than eight acres of base land to the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology during a ceremony here Jan. 6. The agreement is designed to stimulate business efficiencies and technological advancement through the construction of new facilities. The land conveyance, a

  • Patrick auto hobby shop achieves Air Force first

    The 45th Services Squadron auto hobby shop earned the highest honor any automobile repair facility can earn -- the National Institute for Automotive Excellence Blue Seal of Excellence. After 10 years of automotive knowledge tests, equipment inspections and certifications, the auto hobby shop earned

  • Civilian pay raises to take effect

    The upcoming pay period for Defense Department civilian General Schedule employees will reflect a 2.1 percent across-the-board pay raise. It also includes a range of locality pays that bring the overall pay hikes between 2.83 and 5.62 percent, an Office of Personnel Management spokesman said. The

  • Airmen participate in Rose Bowl events

    A B-1B Lancer kicked off the national college football title game Jan. 4 with a flyover of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. Gen. Ronald Keys, commander of Air Combat Command and Lt. Gen. Michael Hamel, commander of the Space and Missile Systems Center here, represented the Air Force at several

  • Nomination season opening for top Guard, Reserve employer awards

    Guard and Reserve members may recommend their employers to be recognized for supporting their military service when the 2006 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Awards nomination season opens next week. The nomination season last from Jan. 9 to Feb. 28. During last year's open season,

  • EQUAL listing available Jan. 10

    The Enlisted Quarterly Assignment Listing for Airmen returning from overseas --and continental United States mandatory movers for May through July -- requirements will be available Jan. 10. Airmen need to work through their military personnel flights or commander's support staff to update their

  • Finance center distributing year-end pay, tax statements

    Servicemembers, military retirees and annuitants and federal civilian employees paid by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service can expect to receive their 2005 tax statements by mail soon, a DFAS official said. In fact, most retirees and annuitants already may have received theirs, with the last

  • Airmen deploy with lighter load

    A new mobility-bag process will now “lighten” the load of deployed members and save the Air Force money, too. The 386th Air Expeditionary Wing’s and two other locations are test sites for a new process to preposition mobility bags and chemical warfare defense equipment in the U.S. Central Command

  • 2005: an Air Force year to remember

    It’s going to be hard to forget 2005, with the war on terrorism, tsunami response, hurricanes and floods. But light did find its way through the darkness. Most memorable are the Airmen who lent a helping hand to those in desperate need. This year also brought new technology, a continued presence at

  • Wynne: more integrated operations in Air Force’s future

    The secretary of the Air Force said the service is headed toward more integrated operations. Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne stopped at this airlift base Dec. 23 after trips to bases in Southwest Asia and Germany. He talked about the importance of force integration, new weapons platforms

  • Herc undergoes reconstructive surgery

    After about a month of tender loving care performed by the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron's structural repair shop at a forward-deployed location, a C-130 Hercules is once again ready for flight. The C-130, from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, and currently deployed to Manas Air Base,

  • NORAD observes 50th anniversary of tracking Santa

    The North American Aerospace Defense Command is observing its 50th anniversary of tracking Santa Claus on his annual rounds, NORAD officials here said. The tradition of tracking Santa began in 1955, when a local Sears, Roebuck and Co. store ran a newspaper ad urging children to make a phone call on

  • Post-Katrina relief operations bolster community recovery

    Keesler is at the tip of the sword in the battle to restore the Mississippi Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. After the storm devastated the base and surrounding communities, Keesler's training mission was broadened to include humanitarian relief operations under the direction of the

  • Ramstein Airmen bring Christmas to Polish children

    What started out as a request to adopt a few children from a Polish mission for Christmas turned into a small support operation for the 2nd Air Support Operations Squadron out of Würzburg, Germany. “We found out there were many more children at the center,” said Lt. Col. Joseph Dill, 2nd ASOS

  • ARPC announces colonel promotions

    Officials announced today the fiscal 2006 Air Force Reserve Line and Non-Line Colonel Promotion Selection Board results that selected 287 officers for promotion. A selection board convened at ARPC here in October to determine those officers qualified to assume the next higher grade. Board members

  • AFPC changes AMS access procedures

    In a recent change to improve security and standardize access controls, access to the Assignment Management System is now controlled by the Air Force Personnel Center's Secure Web site. Airmen can access the AFPC Secure site through the public Web site at www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/ by establishing a

  • New rules to reinforce Guard, Reserve re-employment protections

    The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is lauding the Labor Department announcement issuing rules clarifying re-employment rights for citizen-soldiers. They said the Dec. 16 announcement is a major step forward for guardsmen, reservists and their civilian employers.

  • Developmental engineering officers needed

    Some developmental engineering cross-flow opportunities exist for 2002 year group officers. However, to be considered, their applications must be received at the Air Force Personnel Center here by Jan. 3. Eligible officers, currently serving in over-strength career fields, must have an accredited

  • TSA trains bomb dog teams for transit systems

    Six mass transit officers partnered with bomb dogs are graduating today at Lackland, marking the Transportation Security Administration’s first full-scale expansion into canine protection for people riding trains, light rail and buses in America’s major cities. The TSA office on Lackland is sharing

  • Air Force makes changes to BAH policy

    Beginning in January, the Air Force and the other military services will eliminate geographic rate protection for the basic allowance for housing. Over the last five years, geographic rate protection meant BAH rates around military communities could never drop, even when estimates for median housing

  • Air Force needs volunteers for extended deployments

    As the Air Force accepts new roles in the global war on terrorism, the need grows for hundreds of Airmen to volunteer for one-year extended deployments to fill critical positions. Officer and enlisted Airmen in almost every major career field are needed for U.S. Central Command joint task force

  • Airmen earn awards for innovations, improvements

    Airmen from seven major commands received the Chief of Staff Team Excellence Awards and Air Force Best Practice certificates for mission process improvements. Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel Gen. Roger A. Brady presented the trophies and

  • Radar transfer improves air operations

    Flying into and out of Kabul and Bagram Air Base became safer because of the transfer of a radar to Kabul from Karshi-Khanabad AB in Uzbekistan, Afghanistan. U.S. Central Command Air Forces leaders chose to move the radar to Kabul when operations at “K-2” ended. “This site will give us better radar

  • Leaving the Air Force? Consider civilian government employment

    For those facing force shaping boards and contemplating the possibility of separating from the Air Force, employment options can seem overwhelming. However, the members of civilian personnel offices are ready to help military members transition to government civilian employment. People may apply for

  • From the frying pan into the gas tank

    What smells like barbecue and can go 80 miles per hour? Master Sgt. Brian Hosken’s ride to work. Sergeant Hosken, the 45th Space Communications Squadron base land mobile radio manager, uses used vegetable oil to fuel his 1985 turbo-diesel Mercedes Benz car. He’s been doing that for nearly three

  • ARPC automates 20-year and mortgage letters

    The Air Reserve Personnel Center set another transformation milestone with the self-service automation of the reissue of 20-year and mortgage letters. The letters are now available via the Virtual Personnel Center Guard/Reserve portal. The original 20-year notification letter is issued approximately

  • Reservist can establish online virtual accounts

    Air Force reservists can now go online to create an account on the Reserve Personnel Center’s Virtual Personnel Center-Guard Reserve portal. The portal on the personnel center’s Web site allows reservists to access virtual personnel services and enhances the traditional “vMPF” tools with which many

  • Skill pairing helps develop future leaders

    Force development teams now have a new tool -- skill pairing -- to help them better shape future leaders. Skill pairing is a method of combining developmental expertise across functions to meet Air Force sustainment requirements. Airmen gain this expertise through education and training

  • Air Force returns to Wood Brothers for 2006 Nextel Cup Series

    The Air Force's participation in NASCAR's Nextel Cup Series continues in 2006 as an associate advertiser with the Wood Brothers/JTG Racing No. 21 car. The 2006 race season marks the sixth year the Air Force has been racing with the Wood Brothers racing team. NASCAR veteran Ken Schrader replaces

  • Airmen training Iraqi NCOs to lead protection force

    Security forces pride themselves on making a good first impression for base visitors. Now they are instilling that same pride and professionalism in Iraqi Airmen. Three Air Force security forces members are training the Iraqi protection force that will ultimately inherit security operations at New

  • Disabled veteran earns DOD award

    An Air Force civilian received top-level recognition at the 25th Annual Department of Defense Disability Award ceremony. John Hanson is the 2005 Outstanding DOD employee with a disability. Mr. Hanson, who works at the base family support center here, was the lone Air Force recipient out of 18 who

  • Warfare center offers online courses

    Ever wonder how wartime planners decide the best ways to organize and deploy air mobility forces and assets? Who goes in to start a bare-base operation, security forces or the tanker airlift control element and what are the variables in determining how many pallets you can load on a fully tanked

  • Officers needed for advanced degree, cross-flow opportunities

    Qualified officers who apply by the Jan. 15 application deadline may compete for and earn a master's degree in the Program for Acquisition and Contracting Experience with follow-on cross-flow assignments. Eligible contracting and acquisitions officers must have between three and seven years of

  • Report indicates success of 2004 absentee voting efforts

    Federal Voting Assistance Program efforts for the 2004 national election were successful, the program's director said. Effective voting assistance officer training and voter education programs contributed to record participation by groups covered under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee

  • Airman missing from Vietnam War identified

    The Department of Defense today identified another Airman missing in action from the Vietnam War. The department’s POW/Missing Personnel Office said he is Tech. Sgt. Patrick L. Shannon of Owasso, Okla. DOD returned the remains to his family for burial with full military honors. His family has yet to

  • TSP begins catch-up contribution enrollment for 2006

    The Air Force Personnel Center's civilian benefits and entitlements service team automated systems will be available for 2006 Thrift Savings Plan catch-up contribution enrollment beginning Dec. 11. Military members may submit their 2006 catch-up contribution enrollments in early January. TSP

  • TSP announces enrollment changes for 2006

    Effective in 2006, civilian and military employees are no longer subject to a percentage limit on the amount they may contribute to a regular Thrift Savings Plan account. They may contribute the full amount allowed by the Internal Revenue Service annual elective deferral limit, which is $15,000 for

  • Air Force announces field grade officer promotions

    Four hundred forty-seven lieutenant colonels, 34 majors and 64 captains were selected for promotion. The colonel line of the Air Force, judge advocate general, nurse corps and medical service corps calendar year 2005 central selection board considered 4,578 of these officers. Likewise, the

  • Radar unit helps rescue glider crash victims

    Radar analysis provided by the 84th Radar Evaluation Squadron at the Western Air Defense Sector here helped in the rescue of two people crash landed their glider in remote southern California mountains. A Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department helicopter rescued the instructor pilot and a student

  • Airman meets doctor who saved her

    More than five months, 8,000 miles and countless prayers led to an unlikely reunion at a Colorado animal sanctuary. Tech. Sgt. Jamie Dana and Maj. (Dr.) Paul Morton first met June 25 in Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq -- a hot summer day the major described simply as chaotic. They met again Dec. 2 on a cold

  • Cops plus copters equal better nuclear security

    Take four security forces Airmen, throw them on a UH-1 Huey helicopter and what do you get? A combined defense team that is fast, efficient and keeps the country’s nuclear arsenal well protected. Helicopter aircrews and security forces at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., have integrated parts of

  • Wilford Hall testing new vascular viewer

    Airmen at the Wilford Hall Medical Center’s emergency department are helping evaluate a new light scope used to help locate patient’s veins and arteries. The vascular viewer uses an infrared lighting source to trans-illuminate tissue. So medical personnel can use it to better locate a patient’s

  • Official debunks myths about military recruits

    Recruits entering today’s military are head and shoulders above their contemporaries, a top Pentagon official said. Myths that imply otherwise reflect the Vietnam-era -- not today’s -- military, Bill Carr, acting deputy undersecretary of defense for military personnel policy, said of today's

  • Program promotes healthy lifestyles for children

    Kaitlyn Mayor prefers to hula-hoop while her brother, Tyler, skateboards to gain fitness points for a new Air Force Services Web-based program that promotes healthy lifestyles for children. The Florida siblings are among more than 5,300 Air Force youngsters between the ages of 9 and 18 to sign up

  • Moody rescue crews receive Mackay Trophy

    Two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter aircrews received the Mackay Trophy from Gen. John D. W. Corley, the Air Force vice chief of staff, at a ceremony here Dec. 5. The 13 Airmen earned the award for rescuing five Soldiers whose helicopter crashed in a sandstorm near Kharbut, Iraq, in April 2004. The

  • Wilford Hall to evaluate Tourette syndrome program

    Wilford Hall Medical Center received a $3 million multi-site National Institutes of Health grant to evaluate a behavior therapy program to help control tics in adults who suffer Tourette syndrome. Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by enduring motor and vocal tics. “A growing

  • Help desk changes speed up response times

    Response times to communications outages are now almost immediate after the 386th Expeditionary Communications Squadron here made changes to their help desk operations. The rapid response is the result of fixes that emphasize command-and-control in help desk operations. Most visible is the

  • AF names environmental winners

    The Air Force civil engineer announced the winners of the Gen. Thomas D. White Environmental Awards for 2005. Nine of the winners are eligible for the Secretary of Defense environmental awards and will go forward as the Air Force's nominees. The 2005 winners are: -- Environmental Quality Award

  • Immersion turning out culturally savvy officers

    Traveling to a foreign country, speaking the native tongue and understanding the culture are dreams to some people. But thanks to an Air Force program, line officers have the opportunity to turn those dreams into reality. Language and Area Studies Immersion is a program designed to build a force of

  • Kadena Airman convicted for possessing child pornography

    A military court martial convicted an Airman here today of possessing child pornography.A military judge then sentenced Senior Airman Jason O. Green, of the 353rd Maintenance Squadron, to 20 months confinement, reduction to airman basic and a dishonorable discharge. But as the result of a pretrial

  • New technologies tackle landing challenges

    The Air Force Research Laboratory is demonstrating technologies that will allow Air Force transport aircraft to land in a range of environmental conditions -- anytime and anywhere. The lab’s Air Vehicles, Human Effectiveness and Sensors directorates here are working with three technologies that,

  • 700-plus Airmen face retraining

    The ongoing Noncommissioned Officer Retraining Program will involuntarily retrain up to 777 active duty Airmen. The second phase of the program started Nov. 18 and will continues until the Air Force meets retraining targets.Enlisted retraining staff workers at the Air Force Personnel Center here

  • DoD announces implementation of traumatic injury protection

    The Department of Defense announced today the implementation of traumatic injury protection insurance under the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance program as enacted by section 1032 of Public Law 109-13. The program, which will be known as TSGLI, is designed to provide financial assistance to

  • Maintainers keep Minuteman IIIs ready

    Nearly five decades after the Minuteman entered the United States' nuclear arsenal as President John F. Kennedy’s “Ace in the Hole,” technicians here are working to ensure it continues on active duty for the foreseeable future. The missile system watched over the nation as the Cold War ended, ground

  • Americans open their hearts to servicemembers

    As the traditional gift-giving season gets under way, American people, corporations and service groups are showing their gratitude to American servicemembers, especially those who are deployed, in combat zones or wounded. "The outpouring from the public of goodwill, compassion and recognition for

  • Civil engineers build tent city in Southwest Asia

    From hammers to bulldozers, from planning to construction along with muscles and sweat, the 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron’s tent city project is under way and near completion. The planning for the tent city expansion program began in September. About 28 tents are being constructed to

  • Young man's dream tour causes 'ripple effect'

    When a rock hits the calm surface of a pond, ripples form and travel outward in expanding circles. The story begins with a 14 year old and his dream -- a goal of overcoming his health problems and flying for the Air Force. The boy, Ryan Penne of Chico, Calif., stepped into dreamland last year at

  • Air Force fighters destroy terrorist hideout

    U.S. Air Force F-16s successfully bombed a booby-trapped house in the vicinity of Al Mahmudiyah Nov. 23 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Anti-Iraqi forces had attacked Iraqi Army Soldiers with an improvised explosive device Nov. 21. Coalition ground forces then secured and searched the area of