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  • Weather flight keeps 'em flying

    There may be rain today and heat tomorrow, or snow today and dusty winds tomorrow. These are some of the conditions the nine-member Air Force weather flight must contend with at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan.Everyone needs to know what the weather is going to do, from the A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots

  • Dog helps keep flightline safe

    The 314th Operations Support Squadron has a new tool to keep the flightline here safe, and he works for mere kibble.Since Oct. 1, military working dog Colin, a 2-year-old border collie, has patrolled the perimeter fence to deter deer, birds and other wildlife from crossing into the runway

  • 'King' visits Seymour Johnson sergeant

    Richard "The King" Petty paid a visit here Oct. 23 to meet and have lunch with the winner of the "Win the King" contest.Tech. Sgt. Stephen Peterson, noncommissioned officer in charge of the base chapel, won a visit from Petty to his house, lunch with the driver, race tickets and gifts from Petty

  • Academy mascot vying for national title

    He doesn't have the pageantry of the Indian on the horse with the flaming spear, the "homeyness" of that dog from Tennessee, or the in-your-face attitude of that "other" bird in South Florida.He lacks the tradition of the guy in the leprechaun suit, the ability to pull a wagon like that Oklahoma

  • Crew chief finds couple in C-130 engine

    Tech. Sgt. J.D. Nix is as country as a split-rail fence along a dirt road. So when the C-130 Hercules crew chief deployed here from Yokota Air Base, Japan, went toe-to-toe with a pair of birds, his animal instinct prevailed.Two bright green parakeets decided the engine intake on Nix's No. 3 engine

  • Port squadron moves OEF cargo, passengers

    Mission "No.1" for the 320th Air Expeditionary Wing is keeping supply lines moving within the Operation Enduring Freedom corridor. When viewing the action on the flightline at a forward-deployed location, it seems everything just happens according to some master plan.That is where the men and women

  • Alaskan wing deploys to Singapore

    A 3rd Wing contingent here deployed to the Republic of Singapore Oct. 23 to take on that nation's air force in an annual air-to-air combat exercise.About 100 people, mostly from the 12th Fighter Squadron, and six F-15 Eagles are participating in exercise Commando Sling 2003.The exercise allows

  • Sensor system keeping airmen safe

    As the horizon disappears and the sky fades to black, residents here wrap up the day's activities and crawl into bed like bears heading into hibernation for the winter. No worries, no fears of terrorists or enemies invading their resting place -- just soft pillows, warm blankets and sweet

  • 'Team Target' keeps Air Force on mark

    The 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron here, known as "Team Target," is a key player in ensuring that air-to-air and surface-to-air weapons systems can meet the needs of the military in an ever-changing threat environment.With technology changing at a blinding pace, systems often become obsolete before

  • Defender Challenge competition under way

    Ten security forces teams from U.S. Air Force major commands worldwide, the Department of Energy and the Royal Air Force Regiment gathered here to participate in the 20th annual Defender Challenge competition Oct. 21 to 24."This is a competition of our all-stars," said Brig. Gen. James Shamess,

  • Falcons fall to Notre Dame, 21-14

    The Air Force Academy Falcons' hopes for a perfect season were dashed Oct. 19 by the Notre Dame defense and running game.Notre Dame held the Falcon rushing offense to just 104 yards on 38 carries, and defeated Air Force 21-14. "We knew coming in that Air Force is a heck of a football team," said

  • Maintaining in Sardinia

    Staff Sgt. Ryan Alfke, a 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, changes out oil screen filters during post-flight inspections on an F-16 Fighting Falcon. The 31st Fighter Wing deployed here from Aviano Air Base, Italy, in mid-September while the Aviano fightline is repaired and a new

  • By dawn's early light

    A crew chief with the 48th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron here stands by as a 494th Fighter Squadron aircrew completes preflight checks on a F-15E Strike Eagle. The 48th Fighter Wing is currently involved in a local tactical evaluation exercise that tests the wing's ability to operate and survive in

  • Transportation troop is caught 'knapping'

    People on deployment find many ways to pass the time. Some chip away at calendars marking the days left until they return home. For Staff Sgt. Barry Hester, a special purpose vehicle mechanic with the 384th Expeditionary Logistics Squadron, it is chipping away at stones.Hester, from the 56th

  • 'myPay' provides online pay resources

    A program designed to help Air Force people manage their pay more easily went online Oct. 15.Formerly named the Employee/Member Self-Service program, myPay offers improved online services for active-duty, Guard and Reserve airmen, civilian employees, retirees and beneficiaries, said Bruce S. Lemkin,

  • First lady touts 'Troops to Teachers' program

    The birthplace of aviation became a launching pad for new career possibilities Oct. 16 as first lady Laura Bush spoke here about the Defense Department's Troops to Teachers program.Bush recognized educators and the potential roles departing military members can play in education during a rally

  • 27 RAF Lakenheath airmen suspected of drug use

    Air Force Office of Special Investigations agents here ended a four-month-long counternarcotics operation Oct.13. The operation provided evidence that 27 U.S. Air Force active-duty airmen from the base may have been involved in the use, possession, and distribution of controlled substances.The

  • New AMC policy allows passengers to fly with more pets

    Passengers traveling on permanent change-of-station orders between the United States and overseas bases on Patriot Express flights now have the opportunity to move more than two pets per family.Air Mobility Command officials have instituted a new policy allowing passengers the opportunity to move

  • Partnership will guide military, civilian space activities

    The nation's leading space agencies added a new member to their alliance recently by signing a memorandum of agreement with the director of defense research and engineering, a Department of Defense agency focusing on technology.The agreement formally establishes cooperative relationships for space

  • Falcons devastate BYU, advance to 6-0

    Undefeated Air Force advances to No. 18 in the nation, after holding Brigham Young University to negative 21 yards rushing in a televised 52-9 blowout Oct. 12.There has been no love lost between the two teams, after Brigham Young University devastated Air Force's season last year, with a televised

  • CV-22 wraps up electronic warfare testing

    The Air Force's CV-22 tilt-rotor completed electronic warfare testing in the Benefield Anechoic Facility here recently.The purpose of the electronic warfare tests was to test the suite of integrated radio frequency countermeasures, or SIRFC system, which is the radar warning receiver and electronic

  • Hanging around

    Capt. Damian Schlussel describes to his students each action he takes while rappelling from a 90-foot water tower here. Schlussel, from the 31st Fighter Wing security forces here, leads the wing's anti-terrorist force protection program. He routinely trains new members of the team on key tactics

  • Hurricane Hunters monitor Lili

    The "Hurricane Hunters" of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, a Reserve unit here have been busy, flying their WC-130 Hercules aircraft into Hurricane Lili, gathering data about the storm for the National Hurricane Center.The hurricane, with winds in excess of 145 miles per hour, was expected

  • Guard, Reserve forces cope with active-duty extension

    For Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard troops, the jab "weekend warrior" lost relevance long ago.As many as 14,000 such troops, more than 60 percent of them in the security forces career field, have been on active duty for more than a year now as a result of the war on terrorism. Recently,

  • Airmen brave hazards inside fuel tanks

    Keeping fuel flowing to an aircraft engine is an essential part of flight. Fuel systems specialists from the 374th Maintenance Squadron here operate around the clock ensuring Air Force aircraft fuel systems are safe and in peak operating condition.The 14-person team is responsible for diagnosing

  • New TV ads available online

    The latest Air Force television commercials are now available online.The four-spot series, which continues the "Cross Into the Blue" theme, depicts teen-agers with particular skills or interests applying them in an Air Force specialty. The commercials tell viewers, "We've been waiting for you."In

  • Loss turns fireman into renter's insurance advocate

    An off-duty firefighter driving on base here waved casually as a Robins fire truck passed by. Within minutes, he learned that the truck was headed for his house.Airman 1st Class Michael P. Lecik would soon learn that he and his wife, Tiffany, had lost all but their kitchen table in a fire that

  • Falcons stun Utah Utes 30-26, advance to 4-0

    A 20-yard play-action pass from quarterback Chance Harridge to halfback Don Clark in the corner of the end zone with 17 seconds left preserved Air Force's perfect season.Clark's game-winning score was his second touchdown reception of the game, and marks the emergence of a passing game into the

  • Latest issue of Citizen Airman magazine now available

    A little more than a year into the nation's war on terrorism, Air Force leaders are in the midst of a transition from a "crisis-response" mode, with heavy reliance on mobilized Guard and Reserve members, to a new steady state, which relies mainly on volunteer reservists and guardsmen to help meet

  • Kunsan civilian re-connects with Korean War savior

    A civilian employee here recently re-established ties with the man who saved his life and the Air Force unit that adopted him during the Korean War.Yong Ku "Mike" Yi, an employee at the base skills center, received an honorary induction into his savior's unit, the 6147th Tactical Control Group's

  • New system makes tracking supplies easier

    In Afghanistan and other austere locations, U.S. troops are now able to better track their orders of vital supplies. That is because of recent efforts by U.S. Transportation Command officials to improve the "in-transit visibility" of people and cargo moving through the Defense Transportation

  • NASA honors academy aeronautics research efforts

    Members of the Air Force Academy's aeronautics department received recognition from the NASA Johnson Space Center for their work on the X-38 crew return vehicle, which will serve as a lifeboat for the International Space Station.Named as recipients of the NASA Group Achievement Award are Dr. Tom

  • Maintenance group focusing on core competencies

    Wings around the Air Force are creating maintenance groups as part of a move toward the new combat wing organization structure.The changes are in accordance with a recent directive by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper that maintenance groups be stood up and have attained initial

  • New site compiles military-specific consumer complaints

    Officials from the Department of Defense and Federal Trade Commission have teamed up to provide DOD military and civilian employees an outlet for consumer complaints."Military personnel, DOD civilians and their families face unique challenges every day trying to deal with consumer-protection

  • $10.4 million upgrade increases test capability

    With a $10.4 million test facility upgrade here, Air Force officials hope to make Arnold Engineering Development Center a "one-stop" shopping center for aerodynamic and propulsion test customers by providing Mach 8 capability.The Mach 8 milestone, which equates to objects traveling about 6,000 mph,

  • Oklahoma Guardsmen join U.S. planes in South Africa

    Even with more than 60 nations represented on the flightline and in hangars at the South African Aerospace Defense Exhibition here, many here say the most recognizable tail art goes to the 185th Airlift Squadron from the Oklahoma Air National Guard's 137th Airlift Wing.The unit, based in Oklahoma

  • Air Force, NASCAR teams compete in 'reverse pit stop'

    Elite teams of highly skilled professionals from NASCAR and the Air Force faced off on the flightline here Sept. 19 in a unique competition dubbed the "reverse pit stop." The purpose of the three-hour event was to demonstrate the many similarities and contrasts between the two organizations and to

  • Falcons upset California 23-21, advance to 3-0

    Three touchdowns and 124 rushing yards by quarterback Chance Harridge led Air Force to a 23-21 upset over No. 23 California.The Falcons advance to 3-0 on the season, and have the nation's top-ranked rushing offense in Division I for the fourth consecutive week."What you saw today was a very great,

  • Program helps prevent, deal with domestic violence

    The Department of Defense considers all forms of family violence as unacceptable and provides extensive resources that focus on prevention, intervention and treatment.The Air Force's Family Advocacy Program, charged with the prevention and treatment of family maltreatment, has the shared goal of

  • Fifth Air Force Marathon a success

    More than 3,200 runners from 48 states and eight foreign countries ran in the fifth Air Force Marathon here Sept. 21.Wheelchair competitors began the 26.2-mile race at 7 a.m., followed by individual runners at 7:05 a.m., and relay teams at 7:30 a.m.Patrick Doak of Alpharetta, Ga., was the first male

  • Chief scientist advises senior leaders

    Dr. Alexander H. Levis describes his job as the Air Force's chief scientist as "the best in the world." He even has the scientific data to back it up.As chief scientist, Levis advises the Air Force secretary and chief of staff on scientific and technological issues, and works in coordination with

  • Basic training opens chemical warfare facility

    Times are changing, and Air Force basic military training is evolving with them.The Air Force unveiled its latest addition to BMT on Sept. 16 at Lackland's Warrior Week encampment site: a nuclear, biological, chemical and conventional warfare training facility."The addition of this new facility

  • Customs agents looking closely at military mail

    Nearly all of the military mail arriving from overseas is now being checked by U.S. Customs agents because of recent increases in contraband.The Air Force's chief of postal policy said all packages coming from overseas locations are subject to inspections by customs agents, but recent discoveries

  • USAFE gains two units under realignment plan

    A major command, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, is gaining two new units with the implementation of the Unified Command Plan on Oct. 1.The 65th Air Base Wing at Lajes Air Base, Azores, and the 85th Group at Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland, will transition from Air Combat Command to USAFE as part of

  • Airmen may be able to carry over 'use or lose' leave

    Active-duty airmen who were unable to take annual leave this past year because they were supporting contingency operations will be allowed to accumulate more than the normal 60 days after the fiscal year ends.Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve members who performed full-time training or other

  • ID cards prepare airmen for deployment

    An airman's projected deployment information can fit inside his or her wallet thanks to the new air and space expeditionary force identification card available online.Officials at the AEF Center here recently introduced the cards as a way to help airmen understand the details of their

  • Officials announce OTS selections

    The Air Force is giving 42 enlisted members the chance to trade in their stripes for gold bars after being chosen to attend Officer Training School at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.Officials from Air Force Recruiting Service headquarters conducted OTS Selection Board 0208, which met here Aug. 6 to 9.

  • Maintainers test new electronic technical orders

    Maintenance personnel here had a glimpse of the future recently when the Air Force tested a portable electronic technical orders system that will eventually replace the current paper system.Officials from the human effectiveness logistics research branch of the Air Force Research Laboratory at

  • Hangin' out

    Airman 1st Class David Perleberg, from the 363rd Expeditionary Communications Squadron, lowers an aging security camera down from the top of a 100-foot communications tower at a deployed location supporting Operation Southern Watch. A new camera was installed and will assist security forces in

  • Air Force announces depot strategy

    Air Force officials recently announced their Depot Maintenance Strategy and Master Plan for the years 2004 to 2020, charting a new course for how the service's three air logistics centers will support America's warfighters.The strategy calls for increased investment in both the depot infrastructure

  • Sergeant returns home after lengthy surgery ordeal

    Early assessments indicate he is the only person in medical history to survive the removal of a large brain-stem tumor and have few side effects afterward. The tumor was the size and density of a baseball.Tech. Sgt. Michael Newell, 47th Mission Support Squadron group training manager here,

  • Maintenance backshop takes center stage

    It is a little known fact that if you connected the KC-135R Stratotanker's nearly 5,000 electrical wires end to end, the result would stretch to more than 14.5 miles in length.Combine those numbers with the amount of electronics on the aircraft, its generator, battery, pressurization equipment,

  • Phoenix Readiness to become 'graduate-level' training

    Expeditionary combat support personnel throughout the Air Force will soon have more opportunities to get "graduate-level training" in the art of building and operating an air base from scratch.Phoenix Readiness, the Air Mobility Command-run training program operated by the Air Mobility Warfare

  • Deployed servicemembers complete playground for local children

    Volunteers at a forward-deployed location in the Arabian Gulf region completed hours of hard work in the blazing sun recently to build a playground for children in a neighboring town.More than 100 volunteers participated in the project, which included removing jagged rocks and shattered glass from

  • Refresher course allows pilots to hone survival skills

    Out among unknown landscape, pilots scramble to evade potential captors by hiding under bushes and trees until they can escape enemy territory. It will take all their survival skills not to get caught, even if this is only an exercise.About seven times a year, pilots are brought together here for a

  • Teleconferencing IDEA earns employee $10,000

    A suggestion to change the way in which video teleconferencing is provided has earned an Air Force Research Laboratory employee here a $10,000 award from the Air Force Innovative Development through Employee Awareness program.Gregory J. Howe, a telecommunications specialist in the AFRL information

  • 10 years later, ALS continues to evolve

    A little more than a decade old, airman leadership school has evolved in much the same way the rest of the Air Force has. Although the school and curriculum have changed with the times, one thing has not, said Tech. Sgt. Pamela Jones, an instructor and director of education at the Senior Master Sgt.

  • Test Pilot School updates admission requirements

    Pilots, engineers and navigators applying for slots at the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School here are finding some of the school's requirements have changed recently.The biggest difference for applicants comes in the easing of experience requirements for pilots and navigators.Beginning with this

  • B-1B finds home at Air Force Museum

    One of a fleet of aircraft commonly identified as the backbone of America's long-range bomber force and a vital enabler of U.S. global power projection found a new home at the U.S. Air Force Museum Sept 10 when a B-1B Lancer landed on a runway behind the museum here.Flown in directly from the 7th

  • Technology symposium highlights turbine engine successes

    Nearly 100 years after the Wright brothers changed the future with their first powered flight at Kitty Hawk, N.C., a new generation of American scientists and engineers gathered here to tackle the challenges of powering flight for the next century.Nearly 700 Defense Department, NASA and aerospace

  • A cut above the rest

    Master Sgt. Ed Caffrey, superintendent of a heavy equipment section of the 219th Red Horse squadron here, has forged a new identity for himself.He is one of only 92 master bladesmiths in the world.Although he has always been interested in making knives, he did not take it up until after a visit to a

  • Air Force tackles aging aircraft issue head on

    B-52 Stratofortress System Program Office officials here met with Boeing and Defense Department experts to discuss an aging aircraft issue that not only impacts the B-52, but possibly the entire Air Force fleet.People from Boeing, the Navy, Air Force Research Laboratory, Air Force Materiel Command,

  • Falcons win in overtime

    A tipped pass in the end zone, trick plays and the nation's leading rushing attack sealed a 38-31 overtime win for the Falcons against a determined University of New Mexico team.Air Force pulled out all the stops in Saturday's game, having lost to New Mexico's Lobos the past three years."We brought

  • Air Force striving to get airmen paid right

    More than a year after a new personnel data system began to trigger an "unacceptable" number of pay problems, Air Force leaders have appointed a "pay czar" and mobilized personnel and finance people to fix and prevent pay problems.A recent success: ensuring more than 150 new retirees -- some just

  • Promotion study list now available

    Promotion-eligible enlisted people can now find out which materials to study for the 2003 testing cycles.The most current Weighted Airman Promotion System catalog, which lists the materials used by test writers to develop the 2003 promotion tests, is now available on the Air Force Personnel Center

  • Improving quality of life one of AF's top challenges

    Acknowledging that the current operations tempo has placed a severe strain on airmen, the secretary of the Air Force told the service's first sergeants that supporting quality of life issues is one of his top priorities. "I view this as one of the Air Force's most critical challenges," said Dr.

  • Aircraft storage center refurbishes German F-4s

    The Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center here is in the business of aircraft storage and regeneration plus aircraft parts reclamation for various agencies, including the U.S. military and its allies.Recently, AMARC technicians have assumed a slightly different role by taking on the

  • Greater access to pay information through E/MSS

    The Defense Finance and Accounting Service Employee/Member Self-Service system has been expanded to allow greater access to pay information and more changes to pay records.The new enhancements provide more options to employees, are user-friendly, and help give employees more control over their pay

  • Reservists must report extension to keep benefits

    Mobilized reservists who are extended into a second year must report the extension to their servicing military personnel unit to ensure they receive continuous health care and other benefits.If deployed overseas, reservists can go to their personnel support for contingency operations team to update

  • Guardsman avoids traffic by rowing to work

    Living and working in the nation's capital for most people means having to battle some of the worst road congestion anywhere in the United States.However, one ingenious Air National Guard member, who lives on Bolling Air Force Base in southeast Washington, D.C., and works in Arlington, Va., uses the

  • E-tools tested for maintenance use

    Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., hosted a rodeo recently, but instead of bulls, broncos and clowns, participants corralled laptop and handheld computers, personal digital devices and tablet personal computers.Arranged by the Standard Systems Group here, the E-Tools Rodeo was designed to test the

  • First test of 'Net Decoy' system shows promise

    The airmen of the 100th Communications Squadron here hosted the first-ever demonstration of the pioneering "Net Decoy" system, combining two defensive information systems that detect, track and potentially identify cyberspace intruders.During the latter part of August the Air Force Information

  • Air Force officials to cancel 100,000 travel cards

    More than 100,000 of the Air Force's government travel cards will be canceled in early October for lack of use, according to the service's travel card program manager.The move, said Michael Weber, is part of a servicewide effort to "clean up the books" and will affect those people who have not used

  • Research lab applies robotic technology to mission

    On June 25, 1996, the military community was devastated when several American military members were killed and many more injured, including some local civilians, when the Khobar Towers in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, were bombed.Following this tragic event, Air Force officials identified a need to safely

  • Dentist keeps airmen in fight against terrorism

    Capt. Zindell Richardson is "all smiles" because he has the corner on the dental market at this forward-deployed location.As the only military dentist in this country, the Campbellsville, Ky., native is responsible for providing dental care to thousands of U.S. and coalition warfighters."The concept

  • Hill experts renovate F-16s for Thailand's air force

    The first five F-16 Fighting Falcons of 16 being renovated by aircraft experts here left for Thailand recently. The remainder of the modified fighters are scheduled to join the Royal Thai air force by January.The F-16s, which will be used as air defense fighters, were brought here from

  • Haute cuisine desert style

    (Left to right) Senior Airman Garth K. Courtney, Tech. Sgt. Ken A. Pronti, Staff Sgt. James L. Hallmark and Tech. Sgt. John A. Barone, assigned to the 407th Expeditionary Aerial Refueling Squadron, look for "customers" on the deck they constructed at a forward-deployed location supporting Operation

  • Launch marks new era of space vehicles

    A new era of space launch vehicles began when the first Lockheed-Martin Atlas V lifted off the pad at Cape Canaveral Aug. 21.This launch begins the operational start of the Air Force's Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program, the latest in technology for launching critical payloads into space.EELV

  • Mr. Sandman

    Staff Sgt. Jon Slingerland, from the 379th Expeditionary Comptroller Squadron at a forward deployed location, sands wood on a hole his unit is building for the base's new miniature golf course. Once complete, the course will be added to a growing list of activities offered by the 379th

  • New facility for airborne laser ground testing

    With the airborne laser flight test program under way, members of the ABL Integrated Test Force here are putting the finishing touches on a new facility that will be key to upcoming ground tests.The $18.5 million test support structure, known as the Ground Pressure Recovery Assembly, will allow the

  • Aircraft storage center receives first B-1

    The first of two dozen B-1 Lancers to be stored as part of the Air Force's B-1 fleet reduction plan arrived at the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center here Aug. 20.The arrival starts a reduction process that will take the Air Force's B-1 fleet to 60 from its current 92 count. Twenty four

  • Let there be light!

    Senior Airman Jeremy Tripp, an electrical power production journeyman from the 438th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Flight, works on an air compressor Aug. 17 that boosts a telescopic floodlight unit into position to illuminate a new laundry facility at a forward-deployed location. (Photo by Staff

  • New radar keeps skies safe

    A new radar is improving safety for aircraft landing at a forward-operating location supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.The AN/MPN-25 Rapid Deployment Radar System was deployed in January."We brought it here to prove the system and provide a higher level of safety for the aircraft around the

  • Thrift Savings Plan offering improvements

    The Thrift Savings Plan's new computerized record-keeping system, now set to kick off in November, will provide more control of accounts for investors and faster processing of transactions, said officials at the Air Force Personnel Center here.During the transition period Aug. 19 to Sept. 16, access

  • Peterson airman stars in AF commercial

    The moment Airman 1st Class Jessica Sanchez stepped onto the Hollywood sound stage recently, she was "crossing into the blue" at the same time.The missile warning intelligence analyst with the 21st Operations Support Squadron at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., won the role of a young Hispanic woman

  • Spouse's program takes off

    McConnell graduated its first spouses recently from a new program designed to increase spouses' and caregivers' awareness of the Air Force mission, customs, traditions, protocol, support resources and other services available to them."I thought (Heartlink) was very informative, especially for a

  • Wing practicing sound resource management

    The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing has established new resource management forums that comptroller officials at this forward-deployed location say will be a benchmark for large contingency bases.The wing recently held its first Financial Working Group and Financial Management Board to ensure

  • Airman donates hair to charity

    Senior Airman Terry Ide, from the Electronic Systems Center public affairs office here, has two choices when it comes to wearing her hair in uniform: either cut it or wear it up. For the past four years, Ide has worn her hair, more than a foot long, in a tight bun.This changed recently when she had

  • U.S. Northern Command setup becomes clearer

    When U.S. Northern Command stands up Oct. 1, the new organization in charge of homeland defense will have "combatant command" of a small number of specialized units.Combatant command, or COCOM, gives combatant commanders the authority to organize, train and operate units. It is different from

  • AMC sends pet shipping reminders

    It is the middle of the moving season, and it is important that people follow a few simple guidelines to have their cat or dog travel smoothly with them. Air Mobility Command has arranged a very liberal pet policy with the air carriers that fly the Patriot Express missions, said Master Sgt. Nikki

  • Help desk 'makes bits flow' to support war on terrorism

    They call it "making bits flow." That is how members of the 379th Expeditionary Communications Squadron help desk refer to assisting customers at this forward deployed location.The help desk is responsible for troubleshooting and repairing computer problems for about 2,000 warfighters here.The

  • Remembering close air support's humble beginnings

    Even the most complex of systems often begin with a simple idea.Case in point: close air support.While today's soldier can expect aerial support from fighter aircraft, specially designed gunships and helicopters -- even heavy bombers dropping laser guided munitions from several miles away -- the

  • Cable guy

    Staff Sgt. Lonnie Gonzales, from the 363rd Expeditionary Communications Squadron, works with limited space while laying fiber and copper cable for the new base theater here. Gonzales is deployed from Hill Air Force Base, Utah. (Photo by Senior Airman Shannon Kluge)

  • Detachment activated to support V-22 testing

    A new detachment was activated here recently to support V-22 Osprey testing.Detachment 2 was created to operationally test the MV-22 from the special operations perspective to assess its value as a baseline for the special operations variant, the CV-22."I'm proud to be part of the outstanding team

  • Resume requirements clarified for Air Force civilian employment

    Palace Compass officials here recently clarified whether or not applicants need a resume when applying for civilian employment."Applicants for job vacancies filled by the Air Force Personnel Center may not need a resume," said Lee McGehee, technical director. "But all applicants must self-nominate

  • CCAF offers FAA certification for engine maintainers

    After four years in development, a new certification program offered by the Community College of the Air Force could replace the title"aircraft mechanic" with "Federal Aviation Administration-certified aviation maintenance technician" in for airmen working on military aircraft.The Joint Service

  • Air Force announces OTS selections

    The Air Force is giving 92 enlisted members the chance to trade in their stripes for gold bars after being chosen to attend Officer Training School.Headquarters Air Force Recruiting Service conducted OTS Selection Board 0207, which met here June 25 to 28. The board considered 654 total applications,

  • B-1 consolidation begins

    A year after the B-1 Lancer consolidation plan was first announced, people here are seeing the first steps take shape.The plan, announced last year, calls for the B-1 fleet to be consolidated here and at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. The other three bases where B-1s were assigned have already

  • 'Be safe' is course guideline

    Master Sgt. William Miller, 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, maneuvers an all-terrain vehicle through the base's new safety course. The course is required before operating an ATV on Al Udeid and is taught by a certified Special Vehicles Institute of America

  • Timm-berr!

    A relic of the Cold War came down here July 30 with the help of five giant earthmovers. The old air traffic control tower was completed in June 1962 at a cost of $177,000. Today, a new 10-story, $4.1 million tower takes its place.