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U.S. Air Force News

  • Former Airman oversees U.S. cemetery in Manila

    Dan Neese gets strange looks when he invites people for dinner and gives them his address. It is not because he is some kind of a weird character, but living inside a cemetery is something most people do not normally brag about.Mr. Neese resides at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial here.

  • Tyndall operates newest engine test controller

    Revving an engine and tweaking a motor until it purrs is an art the “hush-house” team here has perfected and taken to the next level with the arrival of the F/A-22 Raptor.A process once involving intense troubleshooting can now be accomplished more efficiently thanks to a new engine-test controller

  • Korea vets recognized with medal

    A new defense medal will be issued to servicemembers who served in South Korea, or adjacent waters, after July 28, 1954. This includes those serving there today, and those serving up to a not-yet-determined future date. The Korea Defense Service Medal will be awarded to those assigned, attached or

  • AMC commander explains Patriot Express cutbacks

    Air Mobility Command officials announced in February that the Patriot Express, a transit system for official travelers mainly in the Pacific and Europe, would be dramatically scaled down during the next few years.During a visit here, Gen. John W. Handy, AMC commander, explained why the program will

  • Airships may play key homeland defense role

    The dirigible, or airship, may be used as a tool to detect potential attacks against the United States, Department of Defense officials told House of Representative members March 4."We believe the best way to protect Americans is to defeat terrorists as far away from our homeland as we can," said

  • Tuskegee Airmen opened doors for black aviators

    The modern Air Force is a diverse force made up of many races and cultures. But this was not always the case.More than 60 years ago, the U.S. Army Air Corps created an experimental black pilot-training program to test their abilities. With determination and persistence, the first black pilots, the

  • Computer-based training available to all

    For Air Force people wishing to further their education, the solution could be just a mouse click away. The U.S. Air Force computer-based training system, located at http://usaf.smartforce.com, allows people to supplement major blocks of formal education that may not be a part of an individual’s

  • Proposed budget boosts DOD housing program

    The Defense Department is set to replace all of its substandard military family housing units by 2009, a senior DOD official told a congressional committee March 3.The proposed fiscal 2005 DOD budget "allows the department to stay on track to eliminate nearly all of its inadequate military family

  • Walking Shield helps American Indians

    For 10 years now, the Air Force has helped house and provide assistance to American Indians living on reservations in the United States through its participation in Operation Walking Shield. The Air Force deputy assistant secretary for installations, Fred Kuhn, co-chaired the OWS Management

  • F/A-22 required for deep strike against enemy threats

    Maintaining deep-strike capability is critical to future warfighting operations. In a March 3 testimony before the House Armed Services Committee subcommittee on projection forces, Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley said the Air Force must continue to maintain its deep-strike

  • Academy graduate named ‘Cadet of the Year’

    Second Lt. Christopher D. Ayoub was named the British Air Squadron’s 2003 Cadet of the Year on March 4.Lieutenant Ayoub is the first Air Force Academy graduate to win the award, which recognizes the most outstanding cadet from all Air Force accession programs. The previous winners have been from

  • From cosmetics to test jets

    In the tumultuous times of 1930s America, Pensacola, Fla., native Jacqueline “Jackie” Cochran was a successful entrepreneur in the world of women’s cosmetics. But not many who saw her marketing powders and colored creams in those days would imagine that she would soon set records in the upstart

  • Air Force: Manpower unevenly distributed

    Air Force leaders said manpower within the service is unevenly distributed. While testifying March 2 before the Senate Armed Services Committee subcommittee on personnel, Michael Dominguez said the service is in the process of rebalancing its manpower resources. He is the assistant secretary of

  • Secretary briefs lawmakers in ‘posture’ hearing

    The F/A-22 Raptor, sexual harassment, force blending and the tanker lease program were all topics of discussion as the service’s senior executive testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee on March 2.Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche, along with the other service secretaries,

  • 'Scopes' get airmen quickly back on track

    Wilford Hall Medical Center surgeons are getting basic military trainees back into training faster with the help of laparoscopy. Surgical recoveries, which used to require four to six weeks, can now take as little as one to two weeks, according to medical officials. One recent case typified the

  • Wolfowitz addresses Guard, Reserve deployment concerns

    Though reserve-component forces are going through a stressful time, the Defense Department is working hard to improve the situation, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz told Guard and Reserve leaders here.Secretary Wolfowitz, speaking at the Adjutants General Association of the United States

  • Personnel services now available on AF Portal

    The days where people need to remember numerous user IDs and passwords for basic online personnel services are coming to an end thanks to the Air Force Portal."The portal is a powerful tool," said Col. Gregory Touhill, director of personnel data systems at the Air Force Personnel Center here. "We

  • Officials release A-10 accident report

    Mechanical failure caused the pilot of an A-10 Thunderbolt II to crash in a military training range near Las Vegas on Nov. 18, according to a report Air Force officials released March 2.The pilot ejected safely in the Nevada Test and Training Range about 45 miles northwest of Nellis Air Force Base,

  • Guard, Reserve reach out to employers

    The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is teaming up with local Chambers of Commerce to salute local employers who have demonstrated exceptional support for their employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.The initiative is part of a broad outreach program to provide

  • Five generations keep proud tradition alive

    His life was spent fighting for freedom; his own freedom and the freedom of a country not yet born.Not only did he give his life in prelude to revolution from a tyrannical king, he left a legacy that continues to serve this country's continuous fight to preserve freedom at home and abroad. And one

  • Force-protection airmen keep alert

    With service and delivery contracts totaling more than $1.2 million and about 160 local nationals or third-country nationals on base at any one time, someone has to keep an eye on the workers.That duty falls to a team of about 50 airmen assigned to the force-protection section of the 407th Civil

  • Aircrew thinks fast during combat-zone emergency

    C-17 Globemaster III aircrews on departure from Iraqi airfields are accustomed to being on the lookout for threats to the aircraft. One crew from the 16th Airlift Squadron here had to wrestle with a threat from within the aircraft on a recent flight out of northern Iraq.The Globemaster III was

  • Reserve maintainer cashes in on award-winning idea

    A reservist here is $10,000 richer thanks to a suggestion that will save the Air Force millions of dollars each year.Master Sgt. Andrew Calvello, an aircraft engine mechanic supervisor with the 512th Component Maintenance Squadron, submitted the idea through the Innovative Development through

  • Airmen answer National Call to Service

    Since its inception in October, more than 240 trainees who enlisted under the National Call to Service Program have attended basic military training here.Under the terms set by the 2003 National Defense Authorization Act, the new airmen can serve a 15-month enlistment, followed by a possible

  • Now showing: March 1 edition of AFTV News

    A landmark University of Rochester study of suicide in the Air Force headlines the latest edition of Air Force Television News.Staff Sgt. John Anderson talks to the study author, Dr. Kerry Knox, who said the Air Force program could be a model for private-sector businesses. The study found the

  • Still time to leave active duty early

    Nearly 1,250 airmen have applied to leave the Air Force early under force shaping. As the March 12 application deadline draws near, officials looking to trim the force by more than 16,000 are encouraging all airmen to carefully look at options to retire or separate earlier than they might otherwise

  • Officers selected for development

    More than 170 company grade officers from five career fields were recently selected by the Development Team Special Selection Board to attend developmental education programs.They will be sent to attend the Air Force Institute of Technology; education with industry; space lift education and

  • Portal provides information, access, instant messaging

    Air Force senior leaders have asked that all airmen sign up for a new Web-based technology that promises to streamline access to information across the force -- the Air Force Portal.In a December information technology initiatives memo, Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche and Chief of

  • BRAC criteria focus on 'military value'

    Military value will be the focus for the final selection criteria to be used in the 2005 round of base realignment and closures.That value represents the ability of the installation to contribute to the Defense Department’s future mission capabilities and operational readiness, said Philip Grone,

  • More retirees returning to Tricare

    Military retirees are returning to Tricare for their health care, and the service’s senior executive thinks that is a good thing.But it comes at price.Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche met Feb. 26 with members of the House Committee on Armed Services to discuss the Air Force’s portion of

  • Policy changes affect civil service employees

    The 2004 National Defense Authorization Act put in to motion changes to civilian pay, overtime and leave.The legislation also launched the National Security Personnel System, the biggest overhaul of the government's civilian personnel system in decades.Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld called the

  • Officials introduce war on terrorism medals

    Servicemembers serving at home and abroad in the war on terrorism will now be recognized for that service. Department of Defense officials announced Feb. 26 the final approval of two new medals and their criteria.Individuals who have deployed for operations Enduring Freedom or Iraqi Freedom will be

  • Services initiative lets 'you be you'

    A new initiative to introduce new airmen to the leisure and recreational activities available to them on base will kick off in March.A joint venture between Air Education and Training Command and the Air Force Services Agency, the new UBU program lets “you be you.” It allows airmen basic through

  • Academy adds editorial, speech writing to curriculum

    Writing editorials and speeches is not always easy for the “techno-centric.”Since most of the Air Force's senior enlisted leaders are people managers experienced as mechanics, number crunchers or computer fixers, they often have limited experience putting their thoughts on paper. The idea of having

  • Cocaine use lands officer second dismissal

    A conviction for wrongfully using a controlled substance for the second time in eight months earned an officer here a second dismissal from the Air Force, 12 months confinement and forfeiture of all pay and allowances.Second Lt. Bryce Terpstra was convicted of cocaine use after a required urinalysis

  • Officials release report of Sheppard review

    The preliminary findings of a special review team sent to Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, to examine reports of sexual assaults indicate students feel the base provides a safe training, working and living environment.Gen. Donald G. Cook, commander of Air Education and Training Command, released the

  • Defending homeland a 'must-win' game

    The mission of homeland security is like playing an "away game and a home game," said the U.S. military's homeland defense commander. In war, just as in sports, it is the away game that you "want to win," but it is the home game that you "must win."Gen. Ralph Eberhart, head of U.S. Northern Command

  • General briefs senators on sexual harassment in Air Force

    Sexual harassment is a problem in the Air Force, but the service’s second-highest ranking officer assured members of the U.S. Senate that it has the full attention of senior leaders.Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley testified Feb. 25 before the Senate Armed Services Committee

  • Air Force leader discusses U.S. space program

    The executive agent for space testified before the House Armed Services Committee subcommittee on strategic forces Feb. 25 on the status of America's space program.Undersecretary of the Air Force Peter B. Teets, who is also the director of the National Reconnaissance Office, told committee members

  • CMSAF addresses quality of life

    The service’s ranking enlisted member addressed quality-of-life issues to the House subcommittee on military construction Feb. 25.Overall, quality of life in the Air Force has greatly improved, contributing to increased morale and retention, said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray.

  • Drop-zone experts ensure success during Balikatan 2004

    “Winds are calm. Clear to drop.” With these words Capt. Laura Curvey, an air mobility liaison officer from the 36th Airlift Squadron at Yokota Air Base, Japan, officially signaled the start of bilateral airdrop operations during exercise Balikatan 2004 here. The term Balikatan is a Tagalog word

  • Military working dogs help keep base safe, secure 24/7

    When military people are in trouble, they call the cops. When cops need help, they call the K-9 unit.Working dogs here provide explosive detection support and establish a force-protection presence that will halt or deter hostile action against coalition forces.“Our main mission here it to provide

  • Reservists vital for seamless flow of business

    In this time of heightened operations tempo, Air Force units are constantly cycling in and out of different conflict zones worldwide. With a few exceptions, servicemembers in almost every career field in the military have the potential to be sent on a temporary duty assignment for extended periods

  • Raptor program still flies

    Air Force officials said they will continue with the F/A-22 Raptor program. Fervor over the Army's cancellation of the $6.9 billion Comanche helicopter program Feb. 23 raised questions about the future of the Air Force's F/A-22, said the director of Air Force combat force capability requirements.

  • Airmen help community by building homes

    Spending a Saturday morning working on your house may not seem like anything new, but what about spending that Saturday morning working on the house of someone you do not even know? This is what a group of airmen from throughout the base here have been doing with their spare time for Habitat for

  • Asian Aerospace 2004 highlights capability, technology

    The flying was fast, loud and very impressive as Asian Aerospace 2004 kicked off Feb. 24. The international air show, held at the Changi Exhibition Center here every two years, provides an opportunity for nearly 800 exhibitors from 33 countries and more than 23,000 trade visitors to promote the

  • Servicemembers can apply for expedited U.S. citizenship

    Foreign-born servicemembers can now speed up the process to obtain American citizenship.The immediate eligibility for servicemembers to become a naturalized citizen is based on Executive Order 13269 signed by President Bush on July 3, 2002. Section 329 of the 8 U.S. Code allows the president to

  • Servicemembers encouraged to invest in TSP

    A money savvy servicemember serving in Iraq did not wait to get back home to buy a shiny new car with his $30,000 re-enlistment bonus. Instead, he invested all of it into the Thrift Savings Plan."Assuming a 7-percent rate of return, his $30,000 is projected to be $345,000 by the time he reaches age

  • Leaders call for re-energized suicide-prevention efforts

    After 11 active-duty suicides since Jan. 1 and 14 during the final quarter of 2003, Air Force senior leaders are asking commanders and leaders across the service to assess and re-energize suicide prevention efforts at all levels. The 2003 calendar year suicide rate of 10.5 per 100,000 people was

  • Navs get you from here to there

    With today’s technology, navigators have become an endangered breed. One of a decreasing list of aircraft to use navigators is the C-130 Hercules, an aircraft that is playing an important role in moving people and supplies during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The role played by the navigator has

  • OSI comes face-to-face with evil

    For a group of specially trained airmen serving in Afghanistan, coming face-to-face with evil is just "another day at the office" as they conduct counterintelligence and anti-terrorism operations. Tasked with providing military leaders current, accurate information about enemy threats, the Air Force

  • Airmen train Navy's 'Rocky' to become contender

    In the 1980s, Rocky Balboa knocked out many contenders. At Charleston a new Rocky is poised to arise and become victorious in 2004.The 437th Security Forces Squadron canine unit here is helping the Charleston Naval Weapons Station develop a kennel program. The unit here has opened its doors to

  • BDUs in short supply

    Backorders from the military supply system are affecting the availability of battle dress uniforms in military clothing sales stores. Both Army and Air Force clothing stores are out of stock on selected sizes of the enhanced hot weather and temperate BDU coats and trousers.The military supply

  • B-24 pilot receives DFC, Air Medal

    A B-24 bomber pilot has finally received the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal he earned in World War II. The presentation took place during a ceremony here recently that relived the perils airmen faced during the 1940s.Then a first lieutenant, Kenneth Kinsinger earned the Distinguished

  • PMEL professionals practice precision

    They diagnose, treat and cure. There is no room for error in their line of work, or it could cost someone his or her life.The professionals assigned to the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron’s precision measurement equipment laboratory are doctors for one of the Air Force’s most precious

  • Camera maintainers are two of a kind

    Endangered species are scattered around the world, sometimes in the least likely of places. The few hundred remaining mountain gorillas are found deep in the Congo. A few dozen Amur tigers exist in out-of-the-way Siberia. The surviving giant pandas are located in secluded southern China.But the

  • Recruiting service unveils ‘shrink-wrapped’ buses

    Air Force Recruiting Service officials rolled out their latest advertising campaign to senior leaders Feb. 19: two very colorful buses.The vehicles are standard in every way, except they are covered with a shrink-wrap design rather than a traditional paint scheme. Each vehicle features the F/A-22

  • Air Force brings DFAS airmen back on base

    To improve its total-force personnel posture, the Air Force will move nearly 400 airmen assigned to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service back to base-level comptroller squadrons.Airmen working in Department of Defense billets like DFAS support the overall military mission, but do not directly

  • New civilian personnel system moves forward

    The Pentagon's personnel chief said he hopes to bring the first 300,000 civilian Defense Department employees under the new National Security Personnel System within the next six months.The system, authorized by the fiscal 2004 National Defense Authorization Act, will introduce sweeping changes to

  • Myers stresses transformation in war on terror

    The United States is doing "pretty well" in the war on terror, but more needs to be done and more progress is necessary to transform American military capabilities, Gen. Richard B. Myers said Feb. 18.The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff spoke at a "Space at the Crossroads" conference

  • Center steps up airlift support

    Strategic airlift directorate officials here are supporting an Air Mobility Command surge request with implications far beyond any in recent history.This strategic airlift surge, requiring both parts and aircraft, stems from an ongoing troop rotation touted as the largest swap out of U.S. forces

  • CAOC historians preserve past for the future

    Philosopher George Santayana once wrote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” With the volume of events from operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, someone has to decide what details from these operations are filed away for future leaders to draw upon years down

  • Air Force Safety Center announces annual awards

    Air Force Safety Center officials recently named the Air Force Safety Award recipients for fiscal 2003.They are:-- Secretary of the Air Force Safety Award: Category I, U.S. Air Forces in Europe; Category II, U.S. Air Force Academy.-- Maj. Gen. Benjamin D. Foulois Memorial Award: Air Mobility

  • Air Force announces OTS selections

    Air Force officials selected 84 enlisted airmen to trade in their stripes for gold bars by choosing them to attend Officer Training School, officials here announced Feb. 18.OTS Selection Board 0403, which met here Jan. 13 to 16, considered 396 applications. The board selected 263 people, including

  • Group turning crumbling symbol into a military airfield

    Airmen from the 455th Expeditionary Operations Group civil engineers are turning what was once a crumbling symbol of oppression into a military airfield that supports operations aimed at eliminating terrorists.In 1955, the Soviet Union promised $100 million to Afghanistan. Part of that money was to

  • Deployed airmen represent honor, dignity

    The American flag waves in a light breeze, its bright colors standing out in stark contrast over the gray, cracked concrete of hardened, Soviet aircraft shelters that once represented a communist state. Below the flag, airmen wearing perfectly pressed desert camouflage uniforms stand at attention.

  • Sexual assault review panel visiting Sheppard

    A cross-functional review panel is examining reports of sexual assault by students at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas.Gen. Donald G. Cook, commander of Air Education and Training Command, selected Col. K.C. McClain, AETC deputy director of operations for technical training, to lead the panel's review

  • Now showing: Feb. 17 edition of AFTV News

    The latest edition of Air Force Television News is devoted exclusively to the Air Force mission in Iraq. Tech. Sgt. Pachari Lutke and Staff Sgt. Leigh Bellinger spent about two weeks in the country working with various Air Force elements to tell “The Air Force Story in Iraq.”In this program,

  • Cope India 04 begins

    The first bilateral dissimilar air combat exercise between the U.S. Air Force and the Indian air force in more than 40 years began here Feb. 16. Approximately 150 airmen from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, are here for the exercise.Dissimilar AIR COMBAT TRAINING, otherwise known as DACT, is

  • AFMC pilot initiative aids test, operational worlds

    An Air Force Materiel Command initiative to trade more than 20 unfilled military pilot positions for civilian personnel funding may bring more experience to the test world while putting more pilots in operational aircraft.The trade allows AFMC officials to hire civilian test pilots, primarily

  • Two Air Force reserve units earn DOD awards

    The top family readiness programs in the reserve component for 2003 were honored Feb. 13 during the Defense Department's annual awards ceremony in the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes.Master of ceremonies Marine Lt. Col. Ian Ferguson, of DOD's reserve affairs office, said the DOD Reserve Family Readiness

  • CSAF seeks improvements in warfighting

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper outlined new ways to make 21st century airmen faster, more efficient warfighters.General Jumper spoke at the Air Force Association’s 2004 Air Warfare Symposium in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., on Feb. 12.The general’s key point in addressing future capabilities

  • 'Transformation Flight Plan’ gives airmen roadmap to future

    Air Staff officials have put the finishing touches on the “Transformation Flight Plan,” which spells out the future direction of the Air Force.The TFP, a 176-page document, can be accessed through a link on the Air Force’s Internet home page at www.af.mil or on the office of force transformation Web

  • Air Force ready for 2005 BRAC

    The Department of Defense published in the Federal Register on Feb. 12 the criteria that will be used in selecting installations for the 2005 round of base realignment and closure. Air Force Director of Installations, Environment and Logistics Nelson F. Gibbs spoke that same morning to the House

  • Human factor is primary cause of aviation mishaps

    The "human factor" is the primary cause of military aircraft mishaps.That testimony by Air Force Chief of Safety Maj. Gen. Kenneth W. Hess came as part of a congressional hearing on military aviation safety, Feb. 11, where safety directors from all four service branches testified before the House

  • Cadet convicted for drug use, false official statement

    A senior cadet pleaded guilty Feb. 12 to using cocaine and making a false official statement. Cadet 1st Class James Long was sentenced by general court-martial to dismissal from the Air Force and 135 days confinement.Cadet Long was charged Oct. 29 with intent to deceive by making false official

  • Changes to LES may reduce identity theft

    Leave and earning statements for all servicemembers and Defense Department civilians, and paychecks for military retirees will soon have more identity theft protection. Over the next several weeks, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service will drop the first five digits of a person's Social

  • ARC team offers link home, comfort

    There is a one-stop shop here that offers books to read, candy to eat, videos to watch and a shoulder to lean on during times of trouble. More than 1,000 books line the tent shelves, dozens of videos sit beneath a videocassette recorder and television, candy and snacks fill plastic containers, and a

  • Patriot Express missions diverted to support redeployments

    Air Mobility Command officials have temporarily cancelled several Patriot Express missions between the United States and Europe to use those aircraft to fill requirements for the massive Southwest Asia rotation of forces. AMC is supporting the movement of 250,000 troops in 60 days, a feat military

  • Sergeant dies from accident injuries

    A senior official here expressed condolences on behalf of the base to the family of Master Sgt. Jude Mariano, who died Feb. 10, five days after sustaining serious injuries in a two-car collision while deployed to a military base in Qatar. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of

  • Indecent assault gets airman discharge, prison, demotion

    Committing an indecent assault on a female airman earned a 377th Security Forces Squadron airman here a bad conduct discharge, 15 months confinement and demotion in rank to E-1.Senior Airman Alfredo Preciado was convicted in a general court-martial here. He elected to be tried by a military judge

  • New Web site designed to make PCS moves easier

    Relocating an Air Force family can be challenging. To ease the strain, Air Force officials recently launched “AF Move,” a Web site designed to put as much moving-related information as possible only a mouse-click away."This is an absolutely outstanding Web site,” said Maj. Gen. Craig Rasmussen, Air

  • Air Force Assistance Fund campaign begins Feb. 16

    The Air Force Assistance Fund "Commitment to Caring" campaign runs Feb. 16 to May 7, asking airmen to contribute to any of four Air Force-related charities. The charities benefit active-duty, Reserve, Guard, retired Air Force people, surviving spouses and families. This is the 31st year of the fund

  • Soldiers experience Air Force military education

    The Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy at Gunter Annex here has some new faces among its students: those of Army soldiers.The Army is back after pulling its students out of other service senior NCO academies in 1998 to teach them exclusively at the Army Senior NCO Academy in Fort

  • Retired NCO credits blood donations for saving his life

    Blood drives are almost as common as commander's calls here because Air Force leaders stress the importance of donating blood.Retired Tech. Sgt. Derrick Duncan, a former jet-engine mechanic instructor here, knows better than most the significance of those lifesaving donations.Sergeant Duncan packed

  • Reserve system streamlines Air Force travel processing

    Accurate and secure records, universal e-mail copies of vouchers and possibly faster payouts are what Air Force travelers have to look forward to starting this spring.Financial management offices throughout the active-duty Air Force are set to begin using Air Force Reserve Command’s Reserve Travel

  • Officials limit re-enlistment window to three months

    Air Force personnel officials are changing the re-enlistment eligibility window beginning March 5.The new policy requires active-duty airmen to re-enlist within three months of their term of service expiring, a change from the 12-month window currently in effect.“In our effort to shape the force, we

  • Storytelling serves as favorite pastime

    In Africa, storytelling is a tradition and a favorite pastime. After a hard day's work and after dinner, elders and children sit around the fire to tell stories.Some are fables with fictional characters, but others are true stories of great warriors from long ago.When Africans were captured and

  • Officials update enlistment test norms

    Department of Defense officials announced Feb. 6 that new norms for the enlistment test, Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, will be implemented this summer. The ASVAB is a multiple aptitude test battery originally designed to predict training and job performance in military occupations.

  • IDEA program awards technical order savvy

    Two equipment specialists here are saving the Air Force more than $140,000 through a suggestion to stop digitizing certain technical orders for an aircraft system that is headed for retirement.Michael Simmons and Calvin Haugen submitted the suggestion using the Innovative Development through

  • Flying Old Glory for a grateful nation

    The spirit of Sept. 11, 2001, is still evident in the sky above Afghanistan as airmen here do their part to support a long-standing tradition of carrying U.S. flags onboard aircraft flying combat missions.Crewmembers from the 777th Expeditionary Airlift Support Squadron and the 22nd Expeditionary

  • Command post stays vigilant during darkest hours

    “Ain’t it funny how the night moves?” sang Bob Seger and his Silver Bullet Band. Although Mr. Seger probably was not thinking about an Air Force command post, most strange occurrences seem to happen while the world sleeps. No one knows this better than command post controllers working the night

  • Doors open for active duty to join Air Force Reserve

    The Air Force is opening doors and modifying programs to give people leaving active duty an opportunity to continue their military careers in the Air Force Reserve.As the active force tries to reduce manning by about 16,600, the Air Force Reserve is seeking to hire many of those experienced airmen

  • Next Aerospace Vehicle Test Course launches

    The U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School here is accepting student applications for the Aerospace Vehicle Test Course that begins May 30.The deadline for applying is March 16, and only 15 slots are available, officials said.Designed as a four-week program, the curriculum includes about 80 hours of

  • Five airmen represent Air Force on ‘Family Feud’

    Five airmen here participated along with members from other military services on the “Family Feud” game show taped Jan. 31 in Los Angeles.Air Force contestants included Capt. Robert Wagner, from the Air Force Flight Test Center judge advocate general's office; Master Sgt. Jim Gantar, 95th Mission

  • Special operators recount Iraq missions

    Multiservice special operations troops have led the way to victory in overseas campaigns during the war against terrorism, a senior U.S. military officer said.Special operators' expertise was a factor in driving the Taliban out of Afghanistan as well as in the ouster of former Iraqi dictator Saddam

  • Air Force, FAA continue air traffic control modernization efforts

    Air Force sites in Michigan and Arizona joined the growing list of airfields replacing aging legacy air traffic control systems with state-of-the-art technology through the National Airspace System upgrade.The Alpena Air National Guard Combat Readiness Training Center in Michigan and Luke Air Force

  • Military participates in Pro Bowl

    Representatives of all five military services in Hawaii will get a special honor this weekend as they take to the Aloha Stadium field in Honolulu to participate in Pro Bowl activities Feb. 8.The game, which will bring together the top players in the American and National conferences of the National

  • Security forces announces annual award winners

    The deputy chief of staff for air and space operations recently announced the 2003 Air Force Outstanding Security Forces Individual Award winners.These annual awards recognize the top security forces members in each category.The 2003 winners are:Career field-wide award:-- Col. Billy Jack Carter

  • Basic trainees now clean M-16s in new facility

    A recently completed 9,000-square-foot facility here has added a few hours and a new activity to the Air Force basic training program: M-16 cleaning.The more than 40,000 trainees who attend basic training each year will now use the $365,000 weapons cleaning pavilion to clean their rifles after