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U.S. Air Force News

  • Air Force officials reactivate 69th Bomb Squadron at Minot

    Air Force officials reactivated the 69th Bomb Squadron Sept. 3 at Minot Air Force Base. The new unit is the fourth operational B-52H Stratofortress squadron in the Air Force and joins the 23rd Bomb Squadron as the second squadron here. The new squadron was established to provide each B-52 wing with

  • Missile retrofit provides better accuracy, saves Air Force money

    Members of the 86th Munitions Squadron here recently upgraded their AGM-65 Maverick H-and-K-model missile systems as part of the Air Force effort to modernize its air and space inventories. With the help of an Air Force Reserve ammunition team and a Maverick Systems Program Office team from Raytheon

  • JAG Corps officials announce law school programs

    Applications for the Funded Legal Education Program and Excess Leave Program are being accepted from Jan. 1 to March 1, 2010. The FLEP, which is a paid legal studies program for active-duty Air Force commissioned officers, is an assignment action and participants receive full pay, allowances and

  • Elmendorf Airmen boost aviation fuel with additive

    Elmendorf Air Force Base officials started to blend a thermally stable additive known as Plus 100 to its JP-8 aviation fuel Sept. 1. The additive prevents coking and carbon buildup in the engine, which will greatly reduce engine maintenance. Even before base officials began using this additive, the

  • Policy change benefits disabled Airmen

    A policy change by Air Force Personnel Center officials here now allows some Airmen retiring with less than 20 years active service to receive retirement certificates. A change to Air Force Instruction 36-3203, Service Retirements, authorizes Airmen with less than 20 years of active service who are

  • Air Forces Central officials launch new Combined Air, Space Ops Center

    Airmen, Soldiers, Marines and Sailors along with their coalition partners from Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom are busy standing up and launching the new U.S. Air Forces Central Combined Air and Space Operations Center here. Communications Airmen along with their contractor counterparts are

  • Air Force humanitarian team arrives on Chuuk

    The Humanitarian Assistance Rapid Response Team, or HARRT, validation exercise officially began Sept. 2 with the arrival of a C-17 Globemaster III transporting 54 Air Force medical and contingency response experts to the Micronesian island state of Chuuk. The team will provide medical assistance to

  • Labor Day weekend golfers help troops, families

    Maj. Dan Rooney knows that just a dollar or more added to your golf greens fees this Labor Day weekend can provide millions of dollars to help servicemembers and their families. Major Rooney, a professional golfer and an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot with the Oklahoma Air National Guard, is the founder

  • Jungle Shield exercise trains Airmen, federal agencies

    Airmen at Andersen Air Force Base and Hickam AFB, Hawaii, participated in an exercise Aug. 25 through 27 to test the Air Force's ability to protect U.S. air sovereignty in the Pacific region. The exercise, known as Jungle Shield, trains flying crews and ensures command and control requirements are

  • Red, White and Brave parade honors those who serve

    Air Force Academy participants joined forces with many local military members and civilians alike who turned out to salute returning Fort Carson fighting men and women Aug. 29, 2009, in downtown Colorado Springs. The Red, White and Brave parade drew an estimated 40,000 spectators lining downtown

  • Academy to tweet Air Force-Nicholls State home opener

    The Air Force Academy Public Affairs Office will broadcast live updates on the Air Force-Nicholls State game at the Academy's Twitter page, http://twitter.com/AF_Academy. Updates will include scoring drives and other key plays during the game.Results of the game will be available on the Academy's

  • Predator crashes in Afghanistan

    An Air Force MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft crashed in eastern Afghanistan Sept. 4 at approximately 8:45 p.m. Kabul time. The crash was not due to hostile fire. There were no reports of civilian injuries or damage to civilian property at the site. The aircraft is a medium-altitude, long-endurance,

  • Football: Air Force blasts Nicholls State 72-0 in home opener

    Air Force scored early and often, handing the Nicholls State Colonels their worst loss in the school's history with a 72-0 blowout at Falcon Stadium Sept. 5. The Falcons' defense set the tempo for the game, recovering four of the Colonels' five fumbles and keeping Nicholls State out of the red zone,

  • Sept. 1 airpower summary: A-10s suppress enemy position

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 1, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and coalition aircraft provided

  • Mud run begins Air Force Week Sacramento

    Air Force Week Sacramento kicked off with a splash Sept. 5 as thousands of people participated in the 10th annual Mather Mud Run at Hagan Community Park here. Air Force Week Sacramento is designed to expose the local population to the incredible power and capabilities of the Air Force and strengthen

  • 'Today's Air Force' features a new vice chief, teamwork and diversity

    This edition of Today's Air Force features a new vice chief of staff of the Air Force who comes to the job during a time of transition and change,  a lesson in teamwork that proves vital in helping Airmen accomplish their mission, and the celebration of cultural diversity around the world.General

  • Yokota restaurant in step with transformation

    The grand opening of a Chili's restaurant Aug. 14 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, is another step in the sustained efforts by Air Force leaders to care for their people by improving quality of life. Several hundred Airmen, their families and civic leaders from the Yokota AB community took part in a

  • Air Force doctor advances cyanide poisoning treatment

    In espionage novels, cyanide capsules are swallowed by captured spies who would rather commit suicide than divulge classified information. But the highly toxic chemical used in so many works of fiction is a real threat for being used as a terrorist weapon. Maj. (Dr.) Vik Bebarta, a physician and

  • Security forces Airmen help secure future of Iraq

    Members of the Air Force's 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Det. 2 here strive to ready members of the Iraqi police to handle day-to-day police operations within their district in Iraq. Currently, the security forces Airmen are responsible for nine different stations and are training

  • American medical advisers guide Iraqi army back into patients' trust

    American medical advisers at Camp Ur are helping Iraqi army members run a clinic efficiently here as well as getting Iraqi soldiers to use the medical care available to them. Camp Ur boasts a fully functioning medical clinic complete with a three-bay emergency room, pharmacy, dentist, radiology

  • Sept. 2 airpower summary: F-16s watch over ground troops

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 2, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons and coalition aircraft provided

  • AFMC leaders continue to focus on nuclear sustainment

    Sustaining the Air Force nuclear arsenal was emphasized by the commander of Air Force Materiel Command as he led center and wing commanders along with AFMC headquarters senior staff through two days of in-depth discussions during the command's semi-annual senior leaders conference here Sept. 1 and

  • Sept. 3 airpower summary: Pave Hawks provide rapid transport

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 3, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon and coalition aircraft provided

  • Sept. 4 airpower summary: Enemy firing positions eliminated

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 4, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, coalition aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces

  • Airmen demonstrate their importance to Afghanistan, joint operations

    Joint expeditionary tasked Airmen have two commanders, the Army one responsible for their day-to-day missions and the Air Force one responsible for their administrative and operational control; but they both sing the praises of their Airmen. According to Army Lt. Col. Matt Smith the task force

  • Airmen provide comfort, care with aeromedical evacuations

    Members of the 379th Expeditionary Air Evacuation Squadron run weekly missions to both Iraq and Afghanistan to either pick up patients or return servicemembers who have sufficiently recovered back to a forward location. An average of 120 wounded and injured servicemembers are transported each month.

  • World War II vet receives long-awaited medals

    Although he was not dressed in the khaki Army Air Corps uniform he wore after enlisting at 17, World War II veteran Tech. Sgt. Howard Thornton was no less proud when he received medals during a special ceremony here Aug. 29. A small gathering of family, friends and military members assembled to

  • Air Forces Africa Airmen share airdrop expertise with Ugandan forces

    Airmen of U.S. Air Forces Africa worked with Uganda peoples defense force members during a theater security cooperation event to show how humanitarian airdrop missions are conducted in late August at Entebbe Air Base, Uganda. With theater security cooperation events, American Airmen plan engagement

  • Secretary Donley: Airmen vital to missions in Iraq, Afghanistan

    Airmen remain a vital part of the joint mission, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley observed during his recent visit to installations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. The secretary used the opportunity to speak with Airmen and receive mission updates in Iraq and

  • Afghan medical technicians learn lab techniques

    Air Force mentors are developing Afghan hematology knowledge and practices every day at the Kabul national military hospital. "The (medical embed training team) mission strengthens the (Afghan national army's) healthcare system's ability to improve medical care with trained and experienced medical

  • Guardmembers must submit civilian employment information

    Army and Air National Guard members are encouraged to provide their civilian employment information to the Department of Defense through a mandatory program that has been around since the early 1990s. The Civilian Employment Information program makes it possible for defense officials to know who can

  • Proclamation officially opens Air Force Week Sacramento

    Air Force Week here officially began Sept. 8 with a proclamation ceremony on the steps of the California State Capitol Building. In attendance at the event were California Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley, Gen. Arthur J. Lichte, commander of Air

  • Tops In Blue performs during Air Force Week Sacramento

    The Air Force's premiere entertainment group sang and danced their way into the hearts of thousands of Sacramento area residents during a series of concerts at the California State Fair Sept. 6 and 7. The Tops In Blue concerts, named "To Dream," were part of Air Force Week Sacramento, a weeklong

  • Sergeant honored for lifesaving action

    A Tinker Air Force NCO received the Airman's Medal in September here for the actions he and two friends did to rescue a group of drowning college exchange students in 2007. Staff Sgt. Chris Harlan of the 965th Airborne Air Control Squadron earned the Airman's Medal for heroism involving the

  • Sept. 5 airpower summary: Air Force, Navy aircraft provide overwatch

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 5, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force B-1B Lancer and Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft

  • Sept. 6 airpower summary: A-10s deter enemy activity

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 6, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft provided armed overwatch for

  • Sept. 7 airpower summary: Coalition aircraft pound enemy targets

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 7, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, coalition aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces

  • Sept. 8 airpower summary: F-16s destroy targets

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 8, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft provided armed overwatch and

  • MacDill Airman killed in IED attack identified

    Department of Defense officials announced Sept. 9, 2009, the death of a MacDill Airman assigned to the 6th Air Mobility Wing who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. 1st Lt. Joseph Helton, 24, of Monroe, Ga., died Sept. 8, 2009, near Baghdad of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his

  • Servicemembers help reconnect Afghan, government

    Coalition forces are lending a helping hand through provincial reconstruction teams in Afghanistan in an attempt to rebuild the government's relationship with its people. "(The purpose is) to give hope and a means for a better future to people recovering from war and oppression under a totalitarian

  • Air Force physician applies research to humanitarian exercise

    For Capt. (Dr.) Christopher Lindshield, a family practice physician from the 374th Medical Group, Yokota Air Base, Japan, the prospect of using his knowledge of Micronesian medicine during a humanitarian mission to Chuuk was too good to pass up. The physician is part of the 54-person humanitarian

  • Airmen advise Afghan medical mission

    Between 100 and 400 Afghans are screened here daily for entrance into the Afghan national army. The first day of screening is the medical portion - an essential process for all would-be recruits to pass before becoming an Afghan soldier. Over a six-month timeframe, 2,500 to 3,000 Afghan recruits

  • Photo essay: Trainees conquer the BEAST

    A recent group of basic trainees conquered training exercises here at the Basic Expeditionary Airman Training, or BEAST, course Sept. 2, 2009.  The BEAST introduces Airmen to the joint expeditionary concept and immerses them in deployment scenarios. View the slideshow.

  • U.S and Canada sign agreement on civil space cooperation

    NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and Canadian Space Agency President Steve MacLean signed a framework agreement Wednesday for cooperative activities in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes.  Canadian Ambassador to the United States Michael Wilson hosted the signing at the

  • Air Force Flight Standards Agency owns rules, regulations of flight

    Picture an airfield. Aircraft taxi along the runway, pilots discussing clearances with air traffic controllers. Ground-flight operators drive the flight line ensuring the lights and navigation aids work and business can continue as scheduled. Their routines are possible because of the Air Force

  • Maj. Gen. Hertog assumes command of 2nd Air Force

    When Maj. Gen. Mary Kay Hertog assumed command of 2nd Air Force at Keesler Air Force Base Sept. 9 from Maj. Gen. Alfred Flowers, Gen. Stephen R. Lorenz called the two generals "two of the finest leaders the Air Force has known." "When I meet with Airmen, I always tell them 'you're the next great

  • Flight tests propel critical satellite communications program

    A team here wrapped up a series of successful flight tests that demonstrated the near-fruition of an advanced satellite communication capability. The tests on the Family of Advanced Beyond-Line-of-Sight Terminals, or FAB-T, means the Department of Defense is closer to being able to move large

  • Sept. 9 airpower summary: C-17s deliver troops, cargo

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 9, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided armed overwatch for

  • Air Combat Command welcomes new commander

    Gen. William M. Fraser III assumed command of Air Combat Command from Gen. John D.W. Corley in a change-of-command ceremony here Sept. 10. General Fraser comes to ACC from the Pentagon, where he served as vice chief of staff of the Air Force and member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Requirements

  • Injured Airman credits training for saving her life

    The training one Airman received during the Advanced Contingency Skills Training Course at the Air Force Expeditionary Center at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., and the quick reaction of her teammates is what she attributed to saving her life. While on a convoy in Iraq Aug. 21, Capt. Wendy

  • Photo essay: Flying a Hawk home

    Members of the 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron load and secure an HH-60G Pave Hawk here for transit home on a C-17 Globemaster III Sept. 9, 2009.  The Pave Hawk is attached to the 56th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, with a primary wartime mission of combat search and rescue.  View

  • AETC officials announce top 3 energy-reducing bases

    Air Education and Training Command officials have announced the installation winners for the command's 2009 Energy Incentive Award program. Vance Air Force Base, Okla., led the command with a 13.4 percent reduction in energy intensity and will receive a $1.5 million award. In a very tight race,

  • Defense Latinas praised for distinguished service

    Latina role models, including recently confirmed Chief Justice Sonia Sotomayor, are important to Hispanics and women in general, said a Connecticut Air National Guard member, who was lauded for her own accomplishments here Sept. 10, 2009. "She is an inspiration to all of us, especially Hispanic

  • Improvement plan realigns acquisition wings as directorates

    Air Force officials will implement a new organizational construct for weapon systems acquisition that includes designating directorates, divisions and branches in place of some current wings, groups and squadrons. Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz

  • Iraqi students attend safety course

    For the first time, four Iraqi students were welcomed to the International Flight Safety Officer Course by Maj. Gen. Fred Roggero, the Air Force chief of safety and Air Force Safety Center commander. The attendance of these four officers marks Iraq as the 80th country to send representatives to the

  • Aircraft maintenance facility dedicated to Tuskegee Airman

    Airmen at Keesler AFB celebrated the life of retired Col. Lawrence Roberts Aug. 28 with a ceremony here dedicating the 403rd Wing's consolidated aircraft maintenance facility in his honor. The new $22.6 million structure is used to perform maintenance on equipment for aircraft assigned to the 53rd

  • Air Force officials fund super-fast, secure computing

    Air Force Office of Scientific Research-supported physicists at the University of Michigan are developing innovative components for quantum, or super-fast, computers that will improve security for data storage and transmission on Air Force systems. According to Professor Duncan Steel, lead

  • 1st Air Force Airmen better prepared for homeland defense 8 years after 9/11

    On Sept. 10, 2001, Airmen assigned to 1st Air Force here were wondering just how much longer their air defense organization might last. They knew the organization's lifespan was possibly at risk, fostered by a widespread belief that major conventional military air threats to the U.S. homeland were

  • Air Force officials unveil new PT running shorts at marathon

    Air Force officials here will unveil new lightweight running shorts this month in time for the Air Force Marathon Sept. 19 here. The shorts feature a durable, quick-drying nylon shell with polyester brief for moisture management, a 4.5 inch inseam, drawstring waist, and oversized inside back key

  • Air Force officials seek nominations for top civilian employees

    Air Force Personnel Center officials here are seeking nominations for the 2010 Air Force Association's Outstanding Air Force Civilian Employees of the Year Awards. Each year, the AFA recognizes four Air Force civilian employees for their outstanding achievements. The four award categories are

  • Airmen teach moulage to medical students

    Approximately 50 students from Dr. Milenko Hadzic Medical School in Nis, Serbia, received moulage-application training from Airmen assigned to the 86th Medical Group at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Sept. 8 in preparation for a mass casualty and natural disaster exercise scheduled for Sept. 9-11. The

  • Vehicle crashes drive off-duty summer fatalities

    Four servicemembers died in off-duty accidents Labor Day weekend, bringing to 95 the number killed during the summer season that kicked off Memorial Day weekend, safety officials reported. Two Soldiers, a Sailor and an Airman died in vehicle accidents during the Labor Day weekend, which marked the

  • Air Force Week in Photos

    This week's photo highlights feature Airmen around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force. View the Week in Photos slideshow.

  • Medical exchange program benefits military, civilian community

    The 3rd Medical Group's Family Practice clinic staff here and Providence Alaska Medical Center are working together to bring more hands-on training to medical residents. Members of the 3rd MDG began an exchange program with Providence to allow medical residents to come here and work alongside Air

  • Personnel officials launch new civilian employment Web site

    Air Force Personnel Center officials here have developed a new Air Force civilian employment Web site to educate potential applicants and the general public about available civilian jobs, the eligibility and application process and finding job opportunities in various specialties and career fields.

  • Deployed Airmen honor 9/11 with Kyrgyz president

    Airmen of the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing were joined by the Kyrgyz president during a Sept. 11 ceremony to honor the memory of those who died in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks held at the Transit Center at Manas. Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev was the guest speaker for the 9/11 ceremony held in

  • Recruiters save a life at Motley Crue concert

    "All recruiters change lives, but some save lives too," said Col Jay Fitzgerald, the 360th Air Force Recruiting Group commander after hearing of the heroic acts by members of the 313th Recruiting Squadron working at a Motley Crue concert. The recruiters had volunteered for a fundraiser Sept. 5 at

  • Sept. 10 airpower summary: B-1Bs provide show of force in Afghanistan

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 10, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force B-1B Lancer aircraft provided armed overwatch for a

  • Laughlin Airmen train Iraqi pilots

    Forty-nine Laughlin Air Force Base Airmen are helping the Iraqi air force take flight.Lt. Col. Christopher Spigelmire, a 47th Flying Training Wing instructor pilot, and other Airmen deployed from Laughlin AFB are part of an Iraqi training and advisory mission. Colonel Spigelmire said he is "having a

  • Air Guard officials tout G-RAP program

    A revitalization of the Air National Guard's advertising and marketing and the continued success of its recruiting assistant program have helped recruiters in August and throughout the fiscal year, recruiting officials said here Sept. 10. "G-RAP (Guard Recruiting Assistance Program) continues to be

  • DOD targets drug abuse during Red Ribbon Week

    "Drug free is the key" is the theme for Red Ribbon Week 2009 and is a reminder to TRICARE beneficiaries of the dangers of unhealthy lifestyle habits. Red Ribbon Week is the nation's oldest and largest drug prevention program, reaching millions of Americans during the last week of October every year.

  • Tacit farmers return to their roots at air base

    Life in Okinawa was difficult in the aftermath of World War II. For one Okinawan, recalling a single good memory from his childhood is a challenge. At the age of 13, Chosei Hamamoto was a boy with the skills of a soldier and little knowledge of books; in school, he learned to disable tanks. His

  • History shows strong response on 9-11 by AMC people

    If you thumb through the volumes of Air Mobility Command history, many significant events are documented. The terrorist attacks on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001, are among them. On the morning of Sept. 11, 19 Al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four commercial passenger jet airliners and

  • Airmen stand up medical squadron to support training exercise

    Airmen built and set up the 458th Expeditionary Medical Squadron here in early September to support a multinational medical exercise. The expeditionary squadron is in Nis to support the 2009 Military Medical Training Exercise in Central and Eastern Europe, or MEDCEUR, that began Sept. 2 and lasts

  • Kunsan Airmen, guests remember 9-11 with Patriot Day Ceremony

    Members of the 8th Fighter Wing and the Republic of Korea air force's 38th Fighter Group held a September 11 Patriot Day Ceremony here to honor and remember those who were lost that day in 2001. A formation of 8th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters, 8th Security Forces Squadron defenders and 8th

  • Airman returns home during Air Force Week Sacramento

    The last time Lt. Col. Ray Powell walked the halls of Rosa Parks Middle School in Sacramento he was a lot shorter, a lot younger and a whole lot less excited. Of course, he was in eighth grade and would rather be anywhere than school. He was picked on relentlessly and most of his classmates came

  • Kids experience Air Force careers during Air Force Week Sacramento

    Students from a local middle school here were able to experience some of the sights and sounds of the Air Force Sept. 10 during an aerospace career day at the Discovery Museum of Sacramento. The event was part of Air Force Week Sacramento, a weeklong event designed to highlight the Air Force's

  • MQ-1 Predator crashes at Holloman AFB

    An Air Force MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft crashed Sept. 11 at 8:58 a.m. here. The aircraft was assigned to the 432nd Wing at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., and was part of the MQ-1 training mission. No one was injured and no private property was damaged. The accident is under investigation.

  • C-5M Super Galaxy unofficially sets 41 world records

    A Dover aircrew flying a C-5M Super Galaxy, named The Spirit of Normandy, unofficially set 41 world records in a single flight, taking off from the base before dawn Sept. 13. The results are pending certification by the National Aeronautic Association and should be finalized in about a month, said

  • Reaper crashes in Afghanistan

    An Air Force MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft crashed in Afghanistan Sept. 13 at approximately 5:30 a.m. Kabul time.   The aircraft was flying a combat mission when positive control of the aircraft was lost. When the aircraft remained on a course that would depart Afghanistan airspace, a U.S. Air Force

  • Deployed Ellsworth Airman dies in Afghanistan

    Staff Sgt. Bryan D. Berky of Melrose, Fla., died Sept. 12 near Bala Baluk, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained from enemy fire while engaged in combat operations. He was assigned to the 28th Civil Engineer Squadron here. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Sergeant Berky's family during this difficult

  • Sept. 11 airpower summary: F-15Es provide air support

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 11, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs responded to a strike request in

  • Air Force Week Sacramento ends with air show

    Amid tumble dives and barrel rolls, vintage aircraft and modern fighters, the California Capital Air Show concluded Air Force Week here Sept. 12 and 13. The event, which took place at Mather Airport, the site of former Mather Air Force Base, drew more than 50,000 people and offered a variety of

  • Langley Airman becomes U.S. citizen in Pentagon ceremony

    Thirty-one members of the U.S. military became American citizens Sept. 10 when Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet A. Napolitano swore them in during a U.S. Military Naturalization Ceremony in the Pentagon courtyard. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates gave welcoming remarks and was

  • Football: Gophers take glory in stadium's inaugural game

    Showing off for a sold-out home crowd, the Minnesota Gophers emerged victorious in a 20-13 win over Air Force at the inaugural game for the University's new TCF Bank Stadium Sept. 12. The Falcons won the battles of total offensive yards with 386, offensive plays, first downs with 24 to Minnesota's

  • Air Force officials strengthen nuclear deterrence operations

    New initiatives underway within the Air Force to consolidate commands, modernize systems and strengthen personnel emphasize nuclear security. "Nuclear deterrence underpins all of our freedom of movement everywhere," Maj. Gen. Donald Alston, the service's assistant chief of staff for strategic

  • Air Force chief calls for collaboration between Guard, active duty

    Citing evolving missions and shrinking budgets, the Air Force chief of staff called for the Air National Guard and active duty forces to work closer together. "The skill-set of National Guard members is critical to sustaining worldwide partnerships," said Gen. Norton Schwartz during his speech at

  • VA officials warn of telephone scam

    Officials at the Department of Veterans Affairs are warning people not to give credit card numbers over the phone to callers claiming to be updating VA prescription information. Kevin Secor, a Veterans Service Organizations liaison with the office of the secretary of Veterans Affairs, sent an e-mail

  • Airmen, teams recognized at AFA 2009 conference kickoff

    Air Force members receiving special recognition attended the 2009 Air Force Association Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition Opening and Award ceremonies Sept. 14 at the National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md. Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton

  • Donley highlights Guard's contributions, emphasis on 'total force'

    Sept. 11 was appropriate for the opening ceremony of the 131st National Guard Association of the United States conference, since the National Guard is the original defender of the homeland, the secretary of the Air Force said during his opening remarks. "You were the first responders to defend

  • Osan air mobility squadron aids in helicopter swap out

    Airmen from the 731st Air Mobility Squadron and Soldiers from the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade worked side by side on the Osan Air Base flightline Sept. 9 when a C-17 Globemaster III arrived with three new AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopters. They are the first of 24 new upgraded Block II helicopters

  • SecAF delivers 'State of the Air Force' speech at AFA

    The Secretary of the Air Force outlined the service's priorities during a keynote address at the 2009 Air Force Association Air & Space Conference Sept. 14. Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley said he credited Airmen for the service's significant milestone achievements, including the

  • True team effort behind weather squadron's success

    Today's Airmen are becoming increasingly familiar with words like "joint" and "total force" regardless of where they are assigned or deployed. As the U.S. Central Command's and International Security Assistance Force's designated Joint Meteorology and Oceanographic Forecast Unit, that's certainly

  • ReserveNet changes to ARCNet, welcomes Air National Guard members

    ReserveNet has a new name and a new mission. After a year of coordination between Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard officials, ARCNet was established Sept. 1 to provide ReserveNet capabilities to Air Guard members. Until now, only reservists had access to these resources used to train,

  • CENTCOM bases hold fun runs

    Across the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, servicemembers were making a run for it.  More than 2,000 participants from four Southwest Asia bases took part in their separate half-marathons and 10Ks, aligning their runs to coincide with the Air Force's annual flagship marathon at