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U.S. Air Force News

  • Eglin Airman participates in adaptive camp

    Two years after complications from a massive stroke that forced Senior Airman Chris Fugitt to retire from the Air Force, his warrior spirit enabled him to power past a number of debilitating setbacks, to the point where he attended his first adaptive sports and rehabilitation camp here this week.

  • Eglin Airman selected by Welsh for unique commissioning program

    An Airman’s cell phone rings, but he doesn’t answer because for him personal calls can wait until after work. It rings again; he lets it go to voicemail. On the third call he finally answers and is shocked to discover Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III on the line. During the call,

  • Eglin Airman wins Marquez award as top maintenance technician

    Senior Airman Alexander Blench, an avionics specialist with the 46th Maintenance Squadron here, recently won the 2011 Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez award in the technical category.The Air Force level award recognizes Blench's excellence in technical maintenance.Blench called receiving the award

  • Eglin Airmen go to war with stumps, trees

    When Hurricane Ivan hit the coastal area here Sept. 16, destructive winds as high as 130 mph knocked down power lines and countless trees. It left a devastating mark on the landscape of Northwest Florida, including nearby Bob Hope Village, one of two Air Force Enlisted Village locations.Six months

  • Eglin Airmen join Marines in combat fitness test

    Eglin Air Force Base Airmen joined the Marines during their annual combat fitness test Nov. 25 here. Airmen who came out for the combat fitness test accepted the invitation from Marine Sgt. Maj. Bonnie Skinner of the 501st Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron to try out the newest addition to the

  • Eglin Airmen return from deployment

    Family members gathered here May 24 to welcome home more than 175 members of the 728th Air Control Squadron from a deployment to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. They arrived by plane on the runway here and were carried by bus to their anxiously awaiting families. As the buses

  • Eglin Airmen test readiness during weeklong exercise

    Airmen of the 33rd Fighter Wing here tested their ability to respond anytime and anywhere in support of the nation's defense during an Operation Noble Eagle exercise in mid-December. Wing planners and exercise evaluation team members created plans and scenarios to provide an accurate replication of

  • Eglin Airmen train Iraqi police

    The introduction of democracy and the reconstruction of Iraq hinges on its police force’s ability to handle those fighting against the transition. So two Airmen from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and one from Offutt AFB, Neb., are in the country to make sure the Iraqi police force gets the training it

  • Eglin completes second alternate fuel test

    Specialists at Eglin Air Force Base conducted their second aircraft performance evaluation using an environmentally-friendly, biomass-derived fuel, this time with an F-15E Strike Eagle.The jet flew at a variety of flight conditions, achieved supersonic speeds, and landed with no issues, though it

  • Eglin crew chiefs advance with F-35

    As the Air Force continues to develop their newest fighter jet, the F-35 Lightning II, the 33rd Fighter Wing ensures the Airmen tasked with taking care of it receive the training they need to advance with it.

  • Eglin efforts help reclassify endangered local fish

    A small fish, whose habitat is almost exclusively on the ranges here, became the first-ever fish on Defense Department land to be reclassified on the endangered species list.The Okaloosa darter remains on the endangered species list, but due to major erosion control efforts by 96th Civil Engineer

  • Eglin engineers test bombs with brains

    Determining if warheads can penetrate underground targets and detonate after counting floor levels or measuring depth was the focus of recent sled testing on a Hard Target Smart Fuze here.HTSF engineering team members placed the fuze in an inert warhead on a 2,000-foot test track and sent it through

  • Eglin EOD Airman killed in action

    Tech. Sgt. Daniel L. Douville, of the 96th Civil Engineer Squadron, died June 26 as a result of injuries suffered from an improvised explosive device on the border of the Nad 'Ali district of Helmand province, Afghanistan. Sergeant Douville, an explosive ordnance disposal technician stationed here,

  • Eglin F-15 pilot dies

    An Eglin Air Force Base pilot involved in a Feb. 20 crash of two F-15 Eagles over the Gulf of Mexico has died. The other Eglin AFB F-15 pilot is listed in good condition at the base hospital. At approximately 5 p.m., Coast Guard crews located and rescued the 58th Fighter Squadron pilots after they

  • Eglin fighters shine at Bright Star

    The 33rd Fighter Wing here was the Air Force’s lone fighter unit in Egypt to participate in the joint-combined training exercise Bright Star 05/06.The exercise, which began Sept. 10 and ends Oct. 3, is U.S. Central Command’s largest coalition exercise. It tests theater engagement activity and boosts

  • Eglin fire department named best in Air Force

    For the past four years, Eglin's Fire Department was the best large department in Air Force Materiel Command. Now, for the first time in the most seasoned fire fighters' memories, it's the best in Air Force.The fire department services a unique location. Broken into seven districts, eight fire

  • Eglin firemen keep NASCAR teams safe

    When a multicar crash happens at Talladega Superspeedway or when crewmembers get hurt along pit road, there is a group of professionals always ready to put their lives on the line to save another -- firemen. Four firefighters from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., John Piccuito, J.R. Suddarth, Jimmy Reed

  • Eglin gate guards wear new uniforms

    Civilian guards at Eglin Air Force Base are now wearing new uniforms that are the standard uniform set by Department of the Air Force Security Forces Center officials. "Eglin is unique in this Air Force-wide initiative because we are the benchmark base," said 1st Lt. Roger Main of the Department of

  • Eglin gears up for ‘the next big storm’

    Hurricane Ivan in September 2004 and Hurricane Dennis in July 2005 cost them millions of dollars in damages. Then, like the rest of the world, they witnessed Hurricane Katrina devastate New Orleans and the surrounding area last year. So, why then, would members of this Gulf Coast base welcome

  • Eglin maintenance NCO named Times Airman of the Year

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz presented the 2012 Military Times Airman of the Year award to a digital maintenance supervisor from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., here July 19. Master Sgt. Brandon Lambert, of the 728th Air Control Squadron, was nominated by a Veterans of Foreign Wars post

  • Eglin optometrist keeps eye on goal

    An Eglin Air Force Base optometrist was recently named the Optometrist of the Year for The Armed Forces Optometric Society, Association of Military Surgeons and the Air Force.Lt. Col. Annette Williamson of the 96th Aerospace Medicine Squadron here also served as the lead optometry consultant for the

  • Eglin partnership helps endangered fish

    In another example of how the Air Force works with state and federal agencies on environmental issues, a project is under way here to aid the federally endangered Okaloosa darter, a fish species only found in six streams in Okaloosa and Walton counties. Construction continues on a project at the

  • Eglin pathology lab probes for answers

    On any given day, the pathology and histology lab professionals at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, handle about 125 patient specimens from livers, prostates to tonsils. They evaluate, prepare and transform tissue onto microscope slides studied by pathologists. These doctors study tissues to make a

  • Eglin people deliver valentines to veterans

    Valentine’s Day came early for more than 200 local veterans.The veterans were recipients of “Valentines for Vets,” thanks to a program that was initiated by former Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ronald Fogleman, as an offshoot from the National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week, fittingly Feb. 8

  • Eglin performs largest 'cook-off' test ever

    No one does cook-offs bigger than the members of the 46th Test Wing here. Members of the 780th Test Squadron suspended a rocket motor Dec. 14. over a 2,622 square foot pan full of approximately 28,000 gallons of jet fuel and lit it on fire, which is called a fast cook-off test.This test, which took

  • Eglin provides for displaced families through Airman’s Attic

    It is not unusual to see vehicles lined up, five to six deep, patiently waiting in the aftermath of a hurricane. Usually these long lines are for fuel to power cars and generators. Here, however, these cars are lined up for a different reason: they are waiting to donate goods to those in need.A

  • Eglin provides shelter for Hurricane Ophelia evacuees

    Nineteen aircraft from Langley Air Force Base, Va., found shelter from the storm on the runway here Sept. 13.The 1st Fighter Wing jets, along with a crew of 90 support Airmen, arrived here midafternoon, evacuated from Virginia because of the expected arrival of Hurricane Ophelia. Providing shelter

  • Eglin receives award for historic building restoration

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

  • Eglin responds to aircraft recovery

    One UH-60 Black Hawk with four aircrew and seven Marines assigned to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, was involved in an incident near Eglin Air Force Base range site A-17, east of the Navarre Bridge.

  • Eglin salutes the Year of the Air Force Family

    Supervisors, co-workers and friends come and go, but family is forever is the underlying theme in the coming months as Eglin Air Force Base leaders will focus on the meaning, needs and strengths of the Air Force family during the Year of the Air Force Family. The Year of the Air Force Family began

  • Eglin spared as Hurricane Dennis flexes

    Hurricane Dennis approached the Emerald Coast and the base July 8, an area still trying to get back to a sense of normalcy 10 months after Hurricane Ivan ripped through the area.When the maximum sustained winds of Hurricane Dennis peaked at 150 mph on July 8, Dennis made history as the strongest

  • Eglin team prepares Small Diameter Bombs for warfighters

    Guided munitions such as the Small Diameter Bomb have helped change the way wars are fought. SDBs, prepared by 681st Armament Systems Squadron members here, give aircrews the ability to destroy targets that would normally be passed over due to the proximity of friendly troops, civilians, structures

  • Eglin team receives national award

    The Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center's Small Diameter Bomb Test Team received the Air Force Association's 2007 Test and Evaluation Team of the Year Award Sept. 24 at the Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington. The nine-member test team from Eglin Air Force

  • Eglin team spearheads Honduras medical mission

    A team of 23 medics from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is leading the way on a two-week, four-site medical readiness training exercise here. The MEDRETE is part of New Horizons 2006-Honduras, a joint training exercise between the U.S. military and Honduran government that ultimately strives to improve

  • Eglin transitions to recovery effort

    Eglin Air Force Base search and rescue teams have located the missing Army UH-60 Black Hawk that was involved in an incident near the base March 11.

  • Eglin units save thousands with F-35 innovations

    Around 500 maintenance personnel are assigned to work with the F-35 at Eglin Air Force Base. These Airmen and Sailors are some of the first to maintain the fifth-generation jet which gives them the opportunity to assist manufacturers in developing tools, technology and data to maintain it.

  • Eglin uses controlled burns to protect pine forests

    Conserving the longleaf pine ecosystem here has always been a top priority for base officials, and the base’s natural resources section does its part to help.A large part of the environmental mission here is the prescribed burn program. The primary reason for burning is to help manage the ecosystem

  • Eglin welcomes final F-35A

    The 58th Fighter Squadron became the Air Force's first complete F-35A Lightning II squadron after they welcomed their 26th and final F-35A May 28 at the 33rd Fighter Wing, here.

  • Eglin wing picks ups missions from Louisiana ANG

    As many of the bases Air Force-wide support Joint Task Force-Katrina, the 33rd Fighter Wing here is doing its part by scrambling to help the Louisiana Air National Guard.Just 36 hours after the wing’s 60th Fighter Squadron returned from a Hurricane Katrina evacuation Aug. 31, the squadron has been

  • Eglin wing transitions to become first F-35 training unit

    Members of the 33rd Fighter Wing here transitioned from an operational F-15 Eagle unit to the first F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter training unit during a ceremony Oct. 1 at Eglin Air Force Base. Col. David Hlatky assumed command of Air Education and Training Command's newest wing whose

  • Eglin working to solve garage door issues

    Government and industry experts gathered here Aug. 17 to discuss solutions for garage door openers in nearby communities malfunctioning and using government-owned frequencies.Experts here began installing a new land-mobile-radio system in May to comply with a congressional mandate requiring Defense

  • Eglin’s environmental team named best in DOD

    Eglin's environmental team won the Defense Department's top environmental prize, earning the 2016 Secretary of Defense Environmental Quality Team award. The award recognizes individuals, teams and installations that support mission readiness through its environmental activities.

  • Egress Airmen save family

    On what should have been a peaceful, relaxing day off, Airmen here found themselves busy rescuing a family from a water disaster.During a kayaking trip, Airmen 1st Class Todd Branthoover, Erik Main and Walter Lewis, and Senior Airman Mark Medonis, all of the 33rd Maintenance Squadron’s egress shop,

  • Egress systems get a makeover during AFSO21 event

    Master Sgt. Kenneth Kelly, the 48th Component Maintenance Squadron accessories flight superintendent, admitted it was nerve-racking to ask Maj. Mark Gray, the 48th CMS commander, about implementing innovative, yet radical, changes to maximize the efficiency of their shop during an Air Force Smart

  • Egress technicians keep Raptor pilots covered

    A specialized polycarbonate is the main element that separates an F-22 Raptor pilot from threatening and compromising conditions like lightening strikes, blinding sun rays and the possibility of bird strikes. "The F-22 canopy is an integral part of the F-22 system and an engineering marvel, said Lt.

  • Ehn named Atlantic Hockey Association offensive player of the week

    Air Force junior center Eric Ehn is the Atlantic Hockey Association offensive player of the week for his performance in two games, Oct. 6-8. Ehn, the team's leading scorer last season from Dexter, Mich., had three goals and one assist as the Falcons split a pair of home games to open the season. Ehn

  • Ehn scores two goals in 4-1 win over Calgary

    Senior center Eric Ehn scored two goals to lead Air Force to a 4-1 win over Calgary in an exhibition college hockey game Oct. 8 at the Cadet Ice Arena. Air Force opened the scoring at the 9:12 mark of the first period when freshman Sean Bertsch scored with a wrister from the left faceoff circle.

  • Eielson AFB Airmen join university for emergency management exercise

    First responders and plans and programs teams here joined staff members from the University of Alaska and local emergency management teams July 27-28 to conduct emergency management exercise at the UAF campus.The university's first large-scale exercise tested emergency responders the first day and

  • Eielson AFB completes F-35A Lightning II fleet

    Eielson Air Force Base and the 354th Fighter Wing accepted delivery of its final F-35A Lightning II fighter aircraft making Alaska the most concentrated state for combat-coded fifth-generation fighter aircraft.

  • Eielson AFB exercises readiness, capability

    Airmen and aircraft from Eielson Air Force Base participated in an exercise designed to hone readiness capabilities in response to potential real-world contingencies.

  • Eielson AFB hosts Arctic Defender 24

    Over 500 personnel from the U.S., German, French, Spanish and Canadian air forces as well as the U.S. Marine Corps participated in Arctic Defender 24 at Eielson Air Force Base, July 8-18.

  • Eielson AFB reactivates 356th Fighter Squadron

    Eielson Air Force Base reactivated the 356th Fighter Squadron and named a new commander on Oct. 10, in preparation for the arrival of the Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs to interior Alaska. Air Force Lt. Col. James Christensen will lead the 356th FS, which is the first of two combat fighter squadrons

  • Eielson AFB retains aggressor mission

    Air Force officials announced April 14 that Eielson Air Force Base will retain the 18th Aggressor Squadron and its assigned 18 F-16 Fighting Falcon aggressor aircraft.

  • Eielson AFB youth show 'Purple Up' pride

    Students at Robert M. Crawford Elementary School celebrated Purple Up Day April 19, honoring military children who make unique sacrifices in support of their active-duty mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers. Alaska state officials adopted Purple Up Day last year to show support for an estimated

  • Eielson Airmen get aggressive about training

    Maj. Robert Kelly is getting ready to try and shoot down Air Force aircraft. But, the weapons officer from the 353rd Combat Training Squadron is not an enemy. He is becoming what is known as a Red Flag aggressor pilot, an invaluable training asset for any Red Flag exercise. "As far as becoming an

  • Eielson Airmen help keep mushers, dogs in race

    Interior Alaska's formidable winter chill couldn't deter the Icemen team from volunteering to help support the local community during Yukon Quest, the 1,000-mile international dog sled race. More than 160 Airmen braved temperatures -- at times dipping below negative 40 degrees -- to help man the

  • Eielson Airmen research alternative energy resources

    Air Force Technical Applications Center Airmen operating at 12 remote locations throughout Alaska are pursuing alternate means for energy.The Airmen of Det. 460, a tenant unit at Eielson Air Force Base, operate in units powered by propane, but now solar power may become a reality even though there

  • Eielson Airmen return from deployment

    Blurry eyes brightened as each Airman walked trough the doors of the joint mobility complex here at 1 a.m. Jan. 23 to the welcoming applause of awaiting friends, family and co-workers. Tired from the long 36-hour flight trek home to Alaska, the midnight arrival ended the Airmen's months-long Air

  • Eielson Airmen start winter road show in Hawaii

    More than 125 Eielson Air Force Base Airmen and 10 jets left Dec. 6 through 8 to provide adversary training and support to members of the 199th Fighter Squadron and the Hawaii Air National Guard at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. This is their first stop for the 28 operations personnel and about 100

  • Eielson Airmen support Army deployments

    Airmen with the 354th Maintenance Squadron aerospace ground equipment flight assisted in processing nearly 500 deploying Soldiers through the Joint Mobility Complex Feb. 3 here to help fulfill the wing's mission of enabling military forces.AGE Airmen supported the deployment effort by de-icing

  • Eielson Airmen turn child into pilot for a day

    Eielson Air Force Base Airmen made a 15-year-old's dream come true as base members turned the boy into a pilot for a day Aug. 22 here. Alex Lee was born with congenital heart defects and Down syndrome and wasn't expected to live as long as he has, but Alex was full of life and excitement as he

  • Eielson dental goes digital

    With the invention of the Internet, information can be accessed at the click of a button. Songs, pictures and computer files can be placed on flash drives that fit in the palm of a hand. Technological advancements are ongoing and the world has proven time and time again, if it can be imagined, it

  • 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

  • Eielson F-16s participating in Commando Sling

    Six F-16C/D Fighting Falcons from the 354th Fighter Wing at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, are deployed to Singapore to participate in the second iteration of Exercise Commando Sling, which began Jan. 8 and runs through Jan. 26.An annual series of exercises, Commando Sling began in 1990 to provide

  • Eielson forces respond to base fire

    Firefighters and security forces here contained a fire in base housing Sept. 7 at around 6 p.m.The heating unit of an empty waterbed in the bedroom ignited the fire, according to officials.“The fire crews did an awesome job. It was a textbook operation,” said Master Sgt. Shawn Ricchuito, 354th

  • Eielson helps Airmen move into new homes in a hurry

    A ghost town now exists at Eielson AFB where 300 families once lived. Blanketed in several feet of snow, artic winter winds whistle through the solitary Sprucewood homes section of base housing. Before the bitter winter had set in, the more than 300 Airmen and their families called this area home.

  • Eielson intelligence flight supports Red Flag-Alaska

    Airmen with the 354th Operations Support Squadron Intelligence Flight here are providing U.S. and allied forces intelligence scenarios and targeting materials to support Exercise Red Flag-Alaska 08-2 running April 3 through 18. Eielson Air Force Base and Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, are the home of Red

  • Eielson maintainers use AFSO 21 to improve performance

    Members of the 354th Maintenance Squadron's Aerospace Ground Equipment Flight here recently implemented Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century initiatives to reorganize the unit to save resources and manpower.The flight reorganized into five cells for scheduled and unscheduled maintenance

  • Eielson mom dances to TV contest's final ten

    A spouse here has been selected as one of 10 finalists in ABC network's "Good Morning America Dancing with the Moms Challenge." Heather Kangas, wife of Staff Sgt. Matt Kangas, 354th Logistics Readiness Squadron, sent in an entry letter and photo and producers apparently liked what they saw. Her

  • Eielson NCO bugs mosquitos

    Summer in Alaska may be the best time of the year with virtually continuous daylight and warm weather. However, with nice weather comes a small blood-sucking menace: the mosquito. In Alaska there are 35 different species of mosquitoes and all but a few will feed on people. They breed near stagnant

  • Eielson pilots get aggressive during Red Flag-Alaska

    Eielson Air Force Base F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots took to the sky as aggressors for the first time in Red Flag-Alaska history during the exercise that runs April 5 through 21. Flying with the 64th Aggressor Squadron from Nellis AFB, Nev., Eielson AFB pilots began the transition of a permanent F-16

  • Eielson possible home for alternative fuels facility

    Federal, state and local government leaders met July 18 in Fairbanks, Alaska, to plan Alaska's energy future. The Interior of Alaska Strategic Energy Summit, sponsored by the Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation, was attended by Senator Ted Stevens, Under Secretary of Energy Bud Albright,

  • Eielson powers its own mission

    Every morning, as Airmen here drive onto base, they are greeted by friendly waves -- waves of billowing steam stretching into the crisp morning sky. This steam is more than just hot air. It is the life's blood of the base, and it comes from the central heat and power plant here. "It is unique," said

  • Eielson recycling project kicks off

    People here soon will have the opportunity to reduce waste by recycling paper, plastic, tin, aluminum and glass products on base when a new recycling program kicks off in the weeks following Earth Day April 22.Officials in the 354th Civil Engineer Squadron Environmental Flight have been working

  • Eielson selected to receive operational F-35A aircraft

    Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, was selected as the new home for the Air Force’s first operational overseas F-35A Lightning IIs. Air Force officials chose Eielson AFB after a lengthy analysis of the location’s operational considerations, installation attributes, environmental factors and cost.

  • Eielson unit selected for process improvement study

    Pacific Air Forces has selected the 354th Logistics Readiness Squadron to validate the new process oriented organizational structure directed by Air Staff. Eielson is one of only 12 test bases Air Force wide to be selected. This isn't the first time the service has taken new approaches to the way in

  • Eielson units initiate total force integration

    Eielson units are combining efforts in the spirit of the total force vision by streamlining cooperative continuity and training. The total force concept eliminates redundancy and simplifies resources, allowing active-duty, Guard and Reserve Airmen to meet challenges with smaller and more

  • Eielson welcomes home deployed Airmen

    A crowd of more than 500 Airmen, family members and guests gathered March 9 to welcome home 400 Eielson Airmen who returned from deployments over the past six months. "It's the hard work and dedication of these Airmen that made the recent deployments successful," said Lt. Col. Mike Fitzgerald, the

  • Eielson's last A-10 carried on final flight

    The last Eielson Air Force Base A-10 Thunderbolt II was strapped in and transported via C-5 Galaxy Oct. 6 from here to its new home at the Museum of Aviation Flight and Technology Center at Robins Air Force Base, Ga.The aircraft, tail number 75-0305, was being used for weapons ground training at

  • Eight bases add chiropractic services to medical facilities

    Eight Air Force medical treatment facilities added chiropractic medicine, and others will follow suit in the future.Chiropractic medicine became available to the Air Force in 1995, after Congress directed the Department of Defense to test the feasibility of providing that service at its facilities.

  • Eight coaches selected for Warrior Games

    Air Force officials recently announced the names of eight Air Force members selected to coach the 2010 Air Force team for Department of Defense's inaugural Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 10 to 14."We received an overwhelming response from hundreds of people interested in coaching

  • Eighteen Airmen selected for medical training

    Air Force officials selected 18 enlisted Airmen to take part in the Tri-Service Physician Assistant Training Program at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.The board met at the Air Force Personnel Center here in March, selecting them from 48 applicants. The average selectee was 28 years old with eight years

  • Eighteenth Air Force changes command

    Maj. Gen. Kenneth T. Bibb Jr., who most recently served as the director of strategic plans, programs, requirements and analyses at headquarters Air Force Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, took command from Maj. Gen. Sam Barrett who is Pentagon-bound after commanding the