NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • B-2 drops 80 test JDAMs

    A B-2 Spirit bomber here released 80 inert joint direct attack munitions Sept. 10 for the first time, clearing the way for warfighters to attack that many individual targets on a single bomb run.After an 11-sortie buildup toward qualifying the B-2 for the maximum munitions load, B-2 global power

  • Jumper addresses global chiefs

    The Air Force’s top uniformed leader addressed more than 90 air chiefs from around the globe Sept. 16 as part of the Air Force Association's Airpower Symposium. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper's comments covered a broad range of topics, including the making of today's heroes, the

  • Deployed medics provide care to locals

    Airmen deployed from the 86th Medical Group at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, are treating villagers in nearby Sartichala and Ponichala who have eye problems.The treatments were part of a humanitarian civic assistance program that the 86th MDG staff conducted at clinics in each village during a

  • CAP helps Air Force face Isabel

    As Hurricane Isabel makes landfall on the Eastern seaboard, Civil Air Patrol officials are helping the Air Force manage storm-related operations.The CAP is the all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary. The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, located at Langley Air Force Base, Va., has moved its

  • AF agency helps track Isabel

    Since Sept. 6, Air Force Weather Agency officials here have been tracking a tropical storm, now known as Hurricane Isabel.Isabel's initial formation, like most tropical storms, was not spotted by land or ship observations. Satellite analysts identified the telltale signs more than 2,500 miles from

  • B-2 exercises 'spirit' through deployment

    B-2 Spirit bomber crews and support teams are in Guam to participate in Coronet Dragon 49, an exercise to test their deployment capabilities and the ability to fly and fight from a forward location. The exercise sent airmen from the 325th Bomb Squadron and 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base,

  • Bases provide hurricane refuge

    Nearly 180 aircraft worth billions of dollars have safely taken refuge at four Air Force Materiel Command installations, moving away from Hurricane Isabel's wrath.The aircraft moved as part of previously-agreed-to contingency plans between the impacted base and the evacuation point, according to

  • Airman helps 'at risk' children

    While many take a permissive temporary-duty assignment to go house hunting prior to a move, Senior Airman Dan Magas went home to do another kind of hunting. Magas, a security controller with the 65th Security Forces Squadron here, helped about 70 children in the Pennsylvania State Police’s Camp

  • Lab earns DOD modeling, simulation award

    Showcasing better and more effective ways to train, warfighter training research division experts here captured top honors in the Defense Department's 2003 Modeling and Simulation Award training category.The training systems technology team earned the award that recognizes units, organizational

  • AF Climate Survey launches Oct. 1

    Air Force leaders at all levels want to know, “How is my organization doing?” The 2003 Air Force Climate Survey begins Oct. 1 to answer this question with the help of Air Force people.Their participation in the survey is critical, said senior leaders.“Leadership must be made aware of what’s really

  • Bird strike likely cause of crash

    Air Force investigators determined an F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed after at least one spot-billed duck was ingested into the engine, resulting in catastrophic engine failure, according to a report released Sept. 18. The May 29 crash happened off the end of the runway at Osan Air Base, South

  • Airman convicted at Osan

    An airman here was found guilty during a court-martial recently.Staff Sgt. Sasanna Galitzen, of the 51st Comptroller Squadron, was sentenced to 11 months confinement, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, reduction to airman basic and a bad conduct discharge.Galitzen was convicted of making false

  • Junior ROTC seeks teachers

    The Air Force needs more military retirees to take on teaching roles in high-school classrooms as the service expands its Junior ROTC program. The 744 units in high schools worldwide offer many opportunities for qualified, eligible applicants, said Jo Alice Talley, Junior ROTC instructor management

  • AF announces team-excellence awards

    Air Force officials announced the five teams selected for the 2003 Chief of Staff Team Excellence Award on Sept. 16 during the Air Force Association convention in Washington, D.C.A total of 15 teams were nominated for this year’s award, which recognizes outstanding team performance and promotes

  • AF officials announce marathon results

    More than 3,300 runners from 49 states and eight foreign countries ran in the seventh Air Force Marathon here Sept. 20.Opening ceremonies took place at 6:30 a.m. Wheelchair competitors began the 26.2-mile race at 7 a.m.; individual runners started at 7:05 a.m.; relay teams and half-marathon (13.1

  • Falcons defeat Wyoming, 35-29

    The U.S. Air Force Academy Falcons went to their strengths on a fourth-and-one midfield gamble and it paid off. The effort let the Falcons hold on to a 35-29 lead over Wyoming during the football game Sept. 20.Stuck at midfield with a fourth-and-one, 2:05 left in the game and a six-point lead, the

  • Generals visit reservists in Iraq

    To learn firsthand the issues facing deployed members of Air Force Reserve Command, three Air Force Reserve generals traveled to several overseas locations Sept. 9 to 19.Making the trip were Maj. Gen. John J. Batbie Jr., AFRC vice commander; Maj. Gen. James Bankers, 22nd Air Force commander; and

  • Department seeks former POWs

    Department of Veterans Affairs officials want former prisoners of war who are not using VA benefits to contact the department to find out if they may be eligible for disability compensation and other services.More than 23,000 former prisoners of war already receive compensation from the VA. This

  • Secretary lauds resourceful approach

    Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche used the Air Force Association’s technology symposium Sept. 17 as a forum to praise Air Force ingenuity.Roche compared today’s leaders with those of the Army Air Corps, saying that integrating people and systems in new and innovative ways guarantees a

  • Air Force names best commander, spouse team

    The Air Force’s best wing commander and spouse team was recently named by Air Force Personnel Center officials at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas.The 2003 recipients of the General and Mrs. Jerome F. O’Malley award are Col. William A. Chambers, 11th Wing commander here, and his spouse, Bonnie.“My

  • Panel releases academy report

    The blue-ribbon panel investigating sexual misconduct at the Air Force Academy reported Sept. 22 that failures in leadership led to 142 reported cases of sexual abuse in the past 10 years.“We found a deep chasm in leadership during the most critical time in the academy’s history -- one that extended

  • Fabrication flight ensuring mission success

    “Find it, fix it, paint it, make it, repack it.”This is the motto of the 48th Equipment Maintenance Squadron’s fabrication flight as they work around the clock at their four facilities to keep the F-15C Eagles and F-15E Strike Eagles here mission-ready.“Basically, our flight touches virtually all

  • Iraqi children awaiting first day of school

    Schools here are still a week away from opening, but smiling children are already climbing the gates, eagerly waiting for the first day of class. Why? Because Air Force and Army volunteers have extended a helping hand so these children can further their education in modernized facilities.Members

  • New Air Force guidance issued for frocking

    The Air Force has issued new guidance on frocking, the practice of pinning on a higher rank after selection for that grade but before the actual promotion date.One of the changes is delegation of the approval/disapproval authority to the Air Force Personnel Center commander for frocking to major and

  • Guard F-16 crashes in Louisiana

    A Texas Air National Guard F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed during a routine training mission Sept. 22. The crash occurred in a wooded area approximately 200 miles northeast of Houston, near Rosepine, La. The pilot ejected safely and no one was injured on the ground.A search and rescue team from Fort

  • Parents have power over what children eat

    Health and wellness center officials here are offering nutrition tips for parents in response to studies that show a growing number of overweight children in America.According to a study by the American Dietetic Association Foundation, parents have more potential to influence their children's

  • October issue of Citizen Airman available

    Although thousands of Air Force reservists are still actively involved in supporting operations worldwide, Air Force Reserve Command officials are busy gathering lessons learned from current and recent operations.Read about the command’s effort to examine its performance in the October issue of

  • Recruiting service names Blue Suit winners

    The Air Force Recruiting Service recently recognized the fiscal 2003 winners of Operation Blue Suite XXV. The program recognizes the Air Force's top recruiters worldwide."This is the first time I've received a Blue Suit award," said Tech. Sgt. Scott J. Wealton, from the 368th Recruiting Squadron in

  • DUI offenders relate experiences

    A Tyndall senior airman was leaving a Panama City restaurant parking lot when the tires of his sport utility vehicle squealed, gaining the attention of a city police officer nearby.As far as the airman was concerned, he had only consumed what he felt was a minimal amount of beer. He was startled to

  • JAG duty goes beyond portrayals

    People who base their perception of military lawyers on the television show "JAG" most likely think those in the judge advocate general profession are pilots, traveling from courtroom to courtroom in high performance military aircraft. They may also believe military legal professionals have the

  • DOD investigating Air Force translator

    The Defense Department is continuing its investigations into two cases associated with the confinement facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in which an Air Force translator is charged with espionage and an Army chaplain is being held pending charges.Raul Duany, spokesman for U.S. Southern Command, said

  • Sensor shop ensures successful U-2 missions

    For most people, taking a photo is as simple as pointing and shooting. However, for a U-2 pilot flying at more than 70,000 feet, taking a picture requires a high-tech camera and a dedicated organization to ensure it works properly.It is the primary job of the 9th Maintenance Squadron avionics

  • Elmendorf opens multiplatform center

    On Sept. 24, the 3rd Wing officially opened the Air Force’s first multiplatform mission training center that uses advanced technology to maximize operational effectiveness and combat capability. The center will house multiple weapon systems simulators -- built and operated by multiple contractors

  • Academy cadet receives Article 15

    A cadet here charged with sexual harassment in April has received non-judicial punishment. He also faces disenrollment from the academy, discharge from the Air Force and recoupment of his education costs.Cadet 2nd Class Jason Nicklas Lewis, a junior, received an Article 15 on Sept. 23 for

  • C-130 maintainers finish Herculean effort

    For two years, maintenance crews from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, have kept the 317th Airlift Group’s C-130 Hercules aircraft flying over lands far removed from the Lone Star State.This week, the unit ends 24 consecutive months of deployment and is heading home.Hercules aircrews with the 777th

  • Cadet court-martial tentatively set

    A senior cadet faces a court-martial early next month for charges filed Sept. 17. Charges include alleged misuse of government equipment, software and internet services while organizing inappropriate activities off-base; for conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman; and for arranging group

  • White Room relocation a ‘success’

    The historic Complex 19 White Room here was successfully relocated to its new home in the outdoor Rocket Garden at the nearby Air Force Space and Missile Museum.The White Room is a 56-foot-tall, 46-ton structure that was used by Gemini astronauts during missions in the mid-1960s. The room, also

  • New R&R leave program set

    Servicemembers and Defense Department civilians on 12-month orders in Iraq supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom now have a rest and recuperation leave program. The program allows them to take up to 15 days, excluding travel time, to visit family or friends in the United States or Europe.David S.C.

  • Reservists support Operation Deep Freeze

    Reservists from the 445th Airlift Wing here headed to Antarctica on Sept. 26 in a C-141 Starlifter supporting Operation Deep Freeze.Aircrew members will move passengers and cargo for the National Science Foundation's research facilities in Antarctica. This mission is the second of three phases to

  • New ribbon recognizes deployed airmen

    Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche has approved award of the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon to recognize servicemembers’ support of air expeditionary force deployments.The ribbon will be awarded to Air Force active-duty, Reserve and Guard members who completed a contingency

  • Guardsmen, reservists essential to war effort

    National Guard and Reserve forces "have been absolutely essential" to the war on terrorism, the commander of U.S. Central Command told the Senate Appropriations Committee. His comments came during a Sept. 24 hearing about the fiscal 2004 supplemental funding request for Iraq and Afghanistan."We

  • Travis team treats battlefield wounded

    The aeromedical staging facility at David Grant Medical Center here cares for some of the most precious cargo in the Air Force: its people."Since the beginning of hostilities in Iraq … earlier this year, Travis' ASF has seen more than 200 patients come through (its) staging facility and departure

  • Computer attacks, threats continue

    Government computers and official information are subject to a wide range of threats and vulnerabilities that are a constant, invisible threat to penetrate military networks and degrade warfighting abilities.Along with those nameless, faceless hostile enemies there is also a threat from simple

  • C-5 team achieves '23 in '03'

    Maintainers here cut four months off individual C-5 Galaxy programmed depot maintenance times in fiscal 2003 which allowed them to deliver a center-record 23rd cargo giant back to the warfighter Sept. 24.The 23rd aircraft represented the most C-5s center workers have ever taken through PDM in a

  • Fighters benefit from Link 16

    A recent Electronic Systems Center effort has improved targeting accuracy and allowed air operations centers to change F-15 Eagle and F-15E Strike Eagle mission variables “on the fly.”Members of the Tactical Data Link System Program Office equipped all 22 operational F-15 active-duty and Air

  • Academy officials commend report

    Officials here commended the Sept. 22 report by former Congresswoman Tillie Fowler.“What I’d like to say is a thank you to the Fowler Commission,” said Lt. Gen. John Rosa, academy superintendent. “They did an incredible amount of work in a very, very short time.”The superintendent told news media

  • Now showing: Sept. 29 edition of AFTV News

    Hurricane Isabel’s effects on Air Force bases along the eastern seaboard highlight the Sept. 29 edition of Air Force Television News. Master Sgt. Jim Lawson and Staff Sgt. Kevin Dennison report on how people at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C.; Dover AFB, Del.; Langley AFB, Va.; and Andrews

  • AFPC offers enlisted promotion tips

    Officials at the Air Force Personnel Center have released a list of things airmen should focus on to give themselves the best possible chance for promotion.Officials advise airmen to start preparing for promotion early, not get lax in study habits, and ensure study materials are current.To learn

  • Emeril salutes troops at McGuire

    Things got hot and spicy here Sept. 25 as celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse filmed his Thanksgiving special of “Emeril Live” as part of his campaign called “Emeril Kicks Up the Holidays” on the Food Network. An audience of 2,000 military and family members, representing all branches of service,

  • Cadet throws out first pitch

    An academy cadet threw out the first pitch to start the Colorado Rockies-Arizona Diamondbacks baseball game at Coors Field in Denver on Sept. 25. It was the Rockies’ last home game of the season.Cadet 1st Class Joe Fixemer tossed out the first pitch to start the third of a three-game series between

  • Base readies for influx of tankers

    In March, hundreds of people will descend upon a small, picturesque base in England’s Cotswolds region.This influx of people, caused by the relocation of aircraft for three months while the runway here is resurfaced, will more than quadruple the number of active-duty airmen at Royal Air Force

  • Assignment listing available soon

    The Enlisted Quarterly Assignment Listing for airmen returning from overseas February to April will be available Oct. 14.Individuals need to work through their military personnel flight or their commander's support staff to update their preferences by Oct. 30, said officials at the Air Force

  • Airmen nearly sweep DOD fire awards

    The Air Force nearly swept the Department of Defense Fire and Emergency Services awards program, winning five out of six award categories for the second year in a row. Air Force firefighters won the top awards for military firefighter, military fire officer, civilian fire officer and fire department

  • First Raptor arrives at Tyndall

    The first operational F/A-22 Raptor was delivered to the Air Force’s F/A-22 schoolhouse here Sept. 26. Tyndall, once known as “The Home of Air Superiority” became “The Home of Air Dominance,” with the arrival of its first F/A-22. The Raptor will eventually replace the F-15 Eagle and sets the

  • Falcons topple BYU 24-10, advance to 5-0

    One audible at the line of scrimmage yielded a touchdown, a 24-10 win and a No. 25 ranking for the Air Force Academy Falcons football team.The Falcons waged a defensive struggle against conference rival Brigham Young University on Sept. 27 in BYU’s LaVell Edwards Stadium here, a place where the

  • Airmen bring air power to ‘most evil place’

    The sound of an incoming rocket is an everyday occurrence here. It is where being shot at before sunset is a typical expectation, and soldiers are always busy defending their ground from the enemy behind four mud walls. The Americans serving here are familiar with the loss of fallen comrades, and

  • Elmendorf rescue team delivers baby at home

    Cheryl Trinklein was at home taking a bath, trying to relax. She also was 39 weeks, 6 days along in her pregnancy. Suddenly, things were not so relaxed. Apparently, the baby decided it was time to make his grand entrance into the world.“The contractions just kept getting stronger and stronger and

  • Cop becomes crew chief for a day

    On a typical day at work, Airman 1st Class Andrew Cox is an entry controller with the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron here, directing hundreds of cars through the entry control point. Recently, he spent his day directing a KC-135 Stratotanker into the air.The opportunity to launch a

  • Vietnam War MIAs identified

    The remains of four servicemen missing in action from the Vietnam War have been identified and are being returned to their families for burial with full military honors, defense officials announced Sept. 29.Three are airmen, and one is a Coast Guardsman. They are Staff Sgt. Elmer L. Holden from

  • NCO gives wife priceless gift

    Flowers, chocolates and jewelry are gifts any woman would love from her husband. There is even the famous saying: "Diamonds are a girl’s best friend." Sometimes though, the most precious gifts are ones that cannot be bought -- like the one Staff Sgt. Anthony Lucas gave to his high-school

  • Holiday print greeting service begins Oct. 1

    The Army and Air Force Hometown News Service is offering its free print holiday greeting program to servicemembers worldwide. The program, now in its fourth year, will be open for submissions Oct. 1 through Nov. 25.An important change for this year’s program is open access to the program by

  • System integrates military pay, personnel

    A new Web-based system will integrate all of the services' military personnel and pay systems, Department of Defense officials announced Sept. 29.The Defense Integrated Military Human Resources System will provide "one-stop shopping" for servicemembers when it is fully implemented, officials

  • AF Climate Survey kicks off

    People have the power to change the future when they complete the 2003 Air Force Climate Survey. It launched Oct. 1.“'Speak Today, Shape Tomorrow' is a great message for all of us,” said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald Murray. “I strongly encourage you to participate in this survey. I

  • Changes limit quarterly IDTs for reservists

    Changes went into effect Oct. 1 limiting the number of inactive-duty-for-training periods a reservist may perform during a three-month quarter.The changes provide a training schedule policy for all Air Force Reserve Command airmen. They provide senior managers better management of training

  • Bone-marrow donation saves life

    A 388th Maintenance Group airman here got a special phone call recently -- from a woman whose life he helped save with a bone marrow donation.“When I was in school four years ago, they were having a bone marrow drive,” said Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Dorman. “I just thought, ‘what the heck,’ and gave them

  • AF leaders testify on academy

    Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche led a small contingent of officials to Capitol Hill on Sept. 30 for congressional testimony on allegations of sexual assault at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper and General Counsel Mary L. Walker joined the

  • Call-to-service enlistee swears in

    The first person to enlist under the National Call to Service program swore in Oct. 1 during a ceremony at the Military Entrance Processing Station in San Antonio. Brig. Gen. Edward A. Rice Jr., Air Force Recruiting Service commander, administered the oath of enlistment to Hector Barreto from

  • Cadet receives nine-month sentence

    Cadet 1st Class Sterling Barnes pleaded guilty and was sentenced Oct.1 by general court-martial to nine months confinement, dismissal from the Air Force, and forfeiture of all pay and allowances.Barnes was charged Sept. 17 with violating the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Charges included: --

  • AMC reactivates 18th Air Force

    The first major change in the Air Force’s organizational structure in more than a decade occurred here Oct. 1. During a formal ceremony, Air Mobility Command officials reactivated 18th Air Force, to lead the command’s global airlift, air refueling and aeromedical evacuation operations.During the

  • Rumsfeld thanks Reserve, Guard employers

    In an open letter to employers, Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld thanked them for their continued support of their National Guard and Reserve employees called to support the global war on terrorism.“(The ongoing war) would not have been possible without the strong backing of America's

  • Special-duty recruiting teams combine forces

    Two Air Force recruiting teams have combined forces to make it easier for airmen to sign up for special-duty assignments, particularly as recruiters or military training instructors.The dual recruiter and MTI recruiting team provides servicemembers one briefing to learn about these and other

  • Airman faces court-martial

    An airman here faces a special court-martial on several charges of violating the Uniform Code of Military Justice.Airman Brent Mann, of the 10th Communications Squadron, was charged Oct. 2 with two counts of violating Article 92 of the UCMJ for failure to obey a lawful order or regulation. The

  • Air Force will test Eagle Flag

    The Air Force will begin its newest flag-level exercise Oct. 13, targeting expeditionary combat-support skills and testing them to the maximum extent. Eagle Flag is to the expeditionary combat-support community what Red Flag is to the fighter community, said Maj. Gen. Christopher A. Kelly, Air

  • Eberhart: U.S. better prepared against terror

    The United States is now better prepared to face terrorist threats and the U.S. Northern Command will continue to improve U.S. capabilities, according to its commander, Gen. Ralph Eberhart.Eberhart said Northern Command brings a focus on planning and training to the homeland-defense mission that was

  • Airmen use funds to help rebuild Iraq

    As Iraq struggles to establish a solid foundation for self-government, airmen here are lending a hand to local Iraqis.Since July, the 506th Air Expeditionary Group has reinvested more than $300,000 of captured Iraqi money back into the local community through the commander’s emergency response

  • DFAS officials caution against look-alike sites

    Officials here caution the 2 million military and civilian users of myPay to use only the official Web site when accessing pay account information."Personal information is valuable and should be safeguarded," said Claudia L. Bogard, director of corporate communications for the Defense Finance and

  • Rescue mission moves to AFSOC

    A ceremony held at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., Oct. 1, marked the official transfer of Air Force combat search and rescue to Air Force Special Operations Command.The transfer is a result of an Air Force chief of staff direction to align the CSAR mission and assets under one command -- Air Force

  • Maintainers keep Al Udeid in drive gear

    Blood, sweat and muscle power keep hundreds of mission-essential vehicles here road-ready and rolling daily, and maintainers with the 379th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron are the reason why.Forklifts, bomb loaders, Humvees, passenger transporters -- you name it, they fix it. Recently,

  • Airmen can review records online

    The Air Force has started a new program allowing airmen to complete record reviews online through the virtual military personnel flight.Airmen will soon begin receiving e-mail notifications around their birthday each year advising them to review their electronic personnel records maintained in the

  • USO comedians bring laughter to Kirkuk

    A group of comedians from the United States visited here Oct. 2 to entertain the troops and film segments for an upcoming DVD.The comedians were part of the Laugh Factory team, which belongs to the United Services Organization tour traveling through Southwest Asia.Ralphie May, the headliner for the

  • New citizen pursues dreams in AF uniform

    Ivelina Konstantinova started working in a San Antonio cafeteria three days after arriving from Bulgaria, and it terrified her. “I was afraid to speak or answer phones,” she said. “Customers would get frustrated because I couldn’t speak English well. I would have preferred they just correct my

  • Navy edges Air Force

    The U.S. Naval Academy’s 2003 football media guide lists fullback Kyle Eckel as having good size and speed, and being a player who should get better with experience.Air Force head coach Fisher DeBerry calls him “possessed.”Eckel ran for 176 yards and a touchdown to lead the Midshipmen to a 28-25 win

  • Boot Hill finds new home at Al Udeid

    The Boot Hill “cemetery” at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, has gotten the boot.For the second time in 11 years, the military’s tongue-in-cheek version of Tombstone, Arizona’s famous cemetery, has been exhumed, this time from the closed PSAB to its new resting place here.Cemetery builders

  • Helmet saves airman's life

    Airman 1st Class Michael Lashbrooks made a critical decision this summer. The veteran motorcycle rider decided to spend nearly $500 on a top-quality helmet to wear while riding his 2003 Kawasaki Ninja 636. Call it personal risk management or plain common sense -- it saved his life.The scars on

  • Young Iraqis arrive at Ramstein

    Eighteen Iraqi children are now receiving long-awaited medical care from the state of Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany, thanks to the help of the U. S. Air Force.The children, ages 6 months to 16 years, arrived here Oct. 6 on a C-141 Starlifter from McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., out of Baghdad International

  • Bagram airmen boost village morale

    It is austere here. The rules are strict, the environment is harsh, and the enemy is near. Everyday is a workday. Alcoholic beverages and civilian clothes are prohibited. People cannot go anywhere unarmed. They eat and sleep with their weapons.Maintaining high morale in an environment like this

  • New changes in academy policies

    When the Class of 2007 cadets reported for in-processing at the U.S. Air Force Academy in late June, they found many new changes that are putting academy policies more directly in line with those of the active Air Force.Throughout the academy, privileges are now granted based not merely on

  • October issue of Airman available

    Learn about what it took to make the air war over Iraq a success, read about the end of an era in Saudi Arabia, and take a look into a drag-racing teen’s lifelong obstacles. These features and more highlight the October issue of Airman magazine, now available in print and online at

  • Employee designs air traffic program

    The computer program an airfield manager here designed is streamlining flightline operations at nearly 45 Air Force bases, including all of those within Air Force Materiel Command.Brian Watson developed the Aircraft Traffic Logging Automated System that is helping airfield managers all around the

  • Software helps put bombs on target

    Since March 19, warfighters have dropped 21,300 munitions in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Tens of thousands more have been dropped or launched during Operation Enduring Freedom and that many more stand ready if and when the call comes.To account for all the munitions the Air Force owns, ammunition

  • Man, horse are dancing partners

    Sixties television star Mr. Ed may have had all the right words, but Regalo has all the right moves.Regalo, a half Spanish-Andalusian, half American quarter horse, can spin, shake hands and count by stomping his left front hoof. He can say hello by raising his front right hoof, throw kisses and

  • Airmen participate in Malaysian exhibition

    Rain did not dampen the spirits of Pacific Air Forces airmen showcasing their aircraft at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace 2003 exhibition here Sept. 30 to Oct. 5. LIMA is one of the biggest defense trade shows in the world and this year more than 800 companies from about 40 nations

  • Warfighters reach back to Langley

    Each day during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Airman 1st Class Jamie O'Connell would drive home from Langley Air Force Base after fighting the war in Iraq, and with traffic, it took her about 15 minutes.She is an imagery analyst in the 30th Intelligence Squadron, working at Distributed Ground System 1

  • Travis firefighters dominate El Paso challenge

    Firefighter combat challenge teams take note: The Travis team is the real deal. At the regional Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge competition here Oct. 4 and 5, the firefighter team from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., dominated every aspect of the tournament, taking first place in four out of five

  • Officials release F-16 accident report

    Air Force officials have determined a bird strike caused the crash of an F-16 Fighting Falcon on June 13 at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz.The fighter jet's single engine lost thrust when it ingested a turkey vulture shortly after takeoff, according to the accident investigation report released Oct. 7 by

  • Board releases F-16 accident report

    An F-16 pilot's failure to follow emergency checklist procedures for a failed hydraulic pump caused the F-16CG Fighting Falcon he was taxiing to collide with a parked F-16 at a forward-operating location June 15.The aircraft, assigned to the 388th Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, was

  • Airmen help fliers breathe easier

    Fuels specialists in the 78th Logistics Readiness Squadron’s liquid oxygen station here have the coolest job on base. It is so cool in fact it is boiling hot.Tasked with the job of storing liquid oxygen, which in its normal state is 297 degrees below zero, the airmen must stay on their toes, or

  • Airmen restore piece of history

    As civilian and military aviation enthusiasts throughout the world celebrate the “Centennial of Flight,” airmen from U.S. Air Forces in Europe’s 85th Group here completed a meticulous project to preserve and showcase a piece of Air Force history in Iceland.Recently, more than 60 airmen, sailors and

  • Preparing for Titan's final flight

    The last Titan IVB rocket to be launched here arrived from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., Oct. 5 while another Titan IVB was moved to Space Launch Complex 40 to launch an early warning satellite under the Defense Support Program. There are just three Titan IVB launches remaining before the

  • Thunderbirds resume schedule

    The U.S. Air Force’s air demonstration team, the Thunderbirds, will resume its schedule beginning with the Fort Smith Regional Air Show in Arkansas on Oct. 11 and 12. The Thunderbirds halted official demonstrations following an aircraft accident at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, on Sept.