NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • Latest enlisted AFIT nominations due

    Air Force Institute of Technology officials are again offering noncommissioned officers the opportunity to pursue an advanced science, engineering or management degree at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.Eight NCOs from around the Air Force will be selected in early 2004 to attend the

  • Quality of life improving at Kirkuk

    Airmen supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom here will leave their dusty tents for the last time when new modular dormitories open.The dorms, scheduled to open Dec. 1, will house up to 1,664 airmen in 13 buildings with six to eight people to a room.The construction project is moving rapidly, said Lt.

  • American forces join Qatari basketball league

    Varsity basketball and history are in the making here, and the host nation’s king may be the reason why.The newly formed American Forces basketball team, made up of servicemembers in the area, will play a Qatari army team in the nation’s capital city, Doha on Nov. 9. The game will mark the first

  • Airmen win 2003 Armed Forces Marathon

    The Air Force team won the 2003 Armed Forces Marathon, conducted as part of the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington on Oct. 26.Maj. Mark Cucuzzella finished first for the Air Force with a time of 2 hours, 33 minutes and 37 seconds. He finished 11th overall among more than 18,000 runners in this

  • Airmen dispose of enemy ordnance

    Crawling over more than a ton of explosives the way a child would go over a jungle gym requires a little something special, but it is just another day for explosive ordnance disposal airmen here.The 506th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron’s EOD flight airmen have recovered and blown up about 1.5

  • Pilot’s final flight a ‘family affair’

    After flying more than 8,700 hours in Air Force planes, an Arkansas Air National Guard C-130 Hercules pilot flew the most memorable two hours of his entire 34-year career Oct. 28.Lt. Col. Larry Hill, a 154th Training Squadron pilot, said his last two hours of flying were the best because he was

  • Wildfire support continues

    Airmen from three wings flew missions from Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, Calif., Oct. 29 to help fight the California wildfires. C-130 Hercules aircraft equipped with modular airborne firefighting systems have flown more than 24 sorties and dropped more than 64,000 gallons of retardant

  • Waist size reflects whole health

    The waist-measurement portion of the Air Force's new fitness standard serves as a gauge for total health, said the Air Force chief of health promotion operations.“The waist measurement is used to determine visceral or intra-abdominal fat,” said Maj. Lisa Schmidt. Air Force officials chose this

  • Remains repatriated from North Korea

    Remains believed to be those of eight American soldiers missing in action from the Korean War were recovered by two teams of U.S. specialists and repatriated to U.S. control in ceremonies at Yokota Air Base, Japan, on Oct. 28.The joint-remains recovery work is the result of July negotiations with

  • New DOD mortuary opens at Dover

    Military officials opened a new $30 million mortuary at Dover Air Force Base, Del., on Oct. 27. The Charles C. Carson Center for Mortuary Affairs, which replaced a 48-year-old facility, is the Defense Department's only stateside mortuary.Since 1955, the remains of more than 50,000 servicemembers

  • Air Force role in Basra is different

    For anyone flying into Basra International Airport, the feeling certainly must be different than flying into Baghdad International.First of all, anyone stepping off the plane is immediately greeted by British Royal Air Force airmen, which is certainly different than Baghdad. Additionally, the area

  • Solar flare third largest recorded

    Air Force Weather Agency's space weather operations center officials said the Oct. 27 solar flare was the third largest event in recorded history. Also, they said the solar spot group is the largest recorded in the current solar cycle.Weather technicians in the center sent more than 300 warnings of

  • Four wings help fight wildfires

    Pilots flying eight Air Force C-130 Hercules cargo airplanes have dropped 129,600 gallons of retardant on the Simi Fire in Southern California during 48 sorties and 32 flying hours as of Oct. 29.The aircraft are equipped with the modular airborne firefighting system. The system is a self-contained,

  • MyPay offers electronic W-2s

    Current myPay military users and Defense Finance and Accounting Service civilian employees with myPay access will now automatically receive an electronic W-2. The electronic method is now the primary means of delivery, officials said. Users may elect to receive a printed W-2 by mail by choosing the

  • Climate survey hits halfway point

    Since its launch Oct. 1, more than 25 percent of Air Force people have taken advantage of the opportunity to speak to their leaders through the 2003 Air Force Climate Survey. The survey’s importance hinges on maximum participation, and the more people who participate, the better the results,

  • Troops deliver child in Tallil tent city

    The cluster of tents in the corner of tent city here that make up the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group was bustling with unusual activity recently. In facilities designed to support the needs of a deployed combat unit, 332nd Expeditionary Medical Support troops gathered together to deliver a

  • Satellite captures northern lights

    The Defense Meteorological Satellite Program captured images of the northern lights Oct. 30, as they transcended their normal polar location. Geomagnetic storms caused the aurora borealis, or northern lights, to move toward the equator, giving people in the continental United States and Europe a

  • Air Force details force development

    A newly formed council will oversee the Air Force’s initiative to develop people with the enduring skills and occupational competencies necessary to meet future air and space mission challenges.Force-development council officials will provide Air Force-level guidance for regulatory policies, program

  • Puzzled airman shares craft

    What can be very addictive but can also inspire people’s creativity? At the same time, what can be really frustrating? What contains “colorful” clues, but are just black and white?Give up? They are crossword puzzles -- and thanks to an airman here, they will now be available through the Air Force

  • Fire blamed for Altus C-17 mishap

    A fire on a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft at Altus Air Force Base, Okla., caused a flight to be aborted and the plane to be evacuated during a mishap June 25.An Air Force investigation team determined a fire in the vicinity of the No. 1 engine started when a hose burst, allowing hydraulic fluid to

  • Turbine blade caused June F-16 crash

    Air Force officials determined a manufacturing defect of a turbine blade caused an F-16 Fighting Falcon to crash June 10 at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz.In the recently released accident-investigation report, the board determined the crash was caused by a manufacturing defect in Blade 1 of the 4th

  • Roche opens airlift, tanker convention

    Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche opened this year’s Airlift/Tanker Association national convention here with one main purpose in mind.“I especially wanted to attend to say thank you to the air mobility team … for your contributions to our war on terrorism and for the vital mission you

  • Airman witnesses deadly attack

    A scheduling mistake that stranded an Air Force photographer overnight in the Al Rasheed Hotel lobby in Baghdad made him an eyewitness to the rocket attack that killed one soldier and injured 15 others Oct. 26.Airman 1st Class Brian Ferguson, from the 447th Expeditionary Communications Squadron, was

  • Vandenberg firefighters battle blazes

    Thirty-eight firefighters here have battled blazes in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles counties since Oct. 27. Eight firefighters are still in Los Angeles working to contain the Simi and Piru fires. “It’s like a war zone down here,” said Greg Leptich, a fire engineer here who was on-scene at the Simi

  • Drug charges preferred against three cadets

    Charges were preferred Oct. 31 against three cadets for drug use.Cadets 1st Class John-Paul Doolin, James Long and Shane Thomas were charged with various violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.Doolin was charged with three counts of using Ecstasy, ketamine and mushrooms containing

  • Fly Away teams provide remote security

    A C-130 Hercules crew landing at a classified location does not find many, if any, familiar faces when they step off their aircraft. Airfield officials seem polite and perhaps even friendly, but the ring of local security workers outside the airplane is more interested in the Hercules and its crew

  • Weary travelers support troops at airport

    Nearly everyone has experienced it at one time or another: An airport bogged down by bad weather, delayed and cancelled flights, and cranky, overtired travelers wanting nothing more than to get to their destinations.That was exactly what Will Ross, an administrative judge for the Defense

  • Falcons fall in triple overtime

    A quarterback’s slip on the turf and a tight end’s first career pass led to the Air Force Academy’s third loss of the season, as the University of Utah edged the Falcons 45-43 in triple overtime Nov. 1.Entering the third overtime period, the Falcons held the ball first. Driving down to the 4-yard

  • November issue of Airman available

    Take a look at aerial gunners from World War I to Operation Iraqi Freedom; read about the intelligence school at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas; and learn about the honor and privilege of being an American Indian serving in war. These features and more highlight the November issue of Airman

  • Air and Space Power Journal available online

    The Air and Space Power Journal is now available through electronic subscription free of charge.The professional journal of the Air Force publishes articles written by air and space power practitioners, said Col. Chris Cain, journal editor and chief of the professional journals division at Air

  • Automatic continuation rules change

    Regular and Air Force Reserve captains on the active-duty list who are not selected for promotion to major two or more times should not count on automatic continuation said personnel officials.The new policy will affect captains meeting the Dec. 8 major promotion board.Only a limited number of

  • Scholarship program kicks off Nov. 4

    The application period for the children of active-duty, retired, Guard and Reserve members to apply for $1,500 academic scholarships kicks off Nov. 4. The application window for the 2004 Scholarships for Military Children program extends through Feb. 18.In four years, the Defense Commissary Agency

  • U.S., Australian airmen defend base

    They come from different countries, wear different uniforms and have different accents, but they do have similarities -- they work relentlessly day and night on the same team defending the air base here.Airmen of the 447th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron and the Royal Australian Air Force

  • Reservist gives life-saving breath

    A craving for bacon and eggs one recent Saturday morning put a 919th Special Operations Wing reservist in the right place at the right time to save the life of a man in the parking lot where she went to shop for breakfast. Senior Airman Sonya Brownhill, a resource manager for 5th Special Operations

  • C-130s aiding in wildfires released

    Wetter, cooler weather has helped firefighting efforts in California so much that C-130 Hercules equipped with mobile airborne firefighting systems have been released, Pentagon officials said. The aircraft flew back to their bases in California, Colorado, Wyoming and North Carolina on Nov.

  • CSAF: The time for air mobility is now

    In a major speech to the Airlift/Tanker Association convention here Oct. 31, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper said air mobility is coming into its own.“The time for air mobility is now,” Jumper said. “It’s here, and it’s time to take it to the next level.”Jumper was one of the main

  • AF facilitates media trip to Iraq

    In an unprecedented move, the Air Force facilitated a trip into Iraq for Arab media representatives from Great Britain recently. Four Arab journalists were met in Kuwait by two Air Force public affairs escorts and flown by a C-130 Hercules to Basra and Baghdad, then back to Kuwait.The journalists

  • More than 500 selected for chief

    The Air Force 2003 chief master sergeant promotion board has selected 526 senior master sergeants for promotion to the service's highest enlisted rank.The promotion list will be released the first duty hour Nov. 5. For units across the international date line, the list will be released Nov. 6. The

  • AMC panel discusses family support services

    Air Mobility Command leaders discussed upcoming changes and programs geared to support military families and servicemembers during a special seminar at the 35th Airlift/Tanker Association convention here Oct. 31.Responding to U.S. Transportation Command and AMC Commander Gen. John W. Handy's concept

  • Airmen bring fallen firefighter home

    Two of the pallbearers who carried the casket bearing the body of California firefighter Steven Rucker had fought alongside him as he defended a house from the Cedar Fire. Another two had served as his captains in the Novato Calif. Fire Protection District where he worked. The pallbearers brought

  • Importance of enlisted force stressed

    Several events focusing on the needs and future the Air Force enlisted force proved that the 35th Airlift Tanker Association convention here was as important to enlisted members as it was for the officer corps, civilians and contractors.The convention, which ran Oct. 30 through Nov. 2, featured

  • Quarterly assignment listing available

    The enlisted quarterly assignment listing for airmen returning from overseas July through September 2004 is now available.Airmen need to work through their military personnel flights to update their preferences by Nov. 20, said officials at the Air Force Personnel Center here. The airmen will be

  • Civilian health-care premiums increasing

    Air Force civilian health-care plan premiums are expected to increase an average of more than 10 percent in January. That means employees with 'self-only' coverage will pay about $5 more per pay period and those with 'family coverage' will pay $11.95 more.Employees will have the opportunity to

  • Top soldier advocates AF relationship

    The relationship of the Army to the airlift and tanker community is one of the “most important relationships that we have,” said the Army chief of staff during the 35th Airlift/Tanker Association convention here.In the convention’s closing address Nov. 1, Army Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker discussed

  • Airmen arrive for AEF Silver

    About 20 airmen from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., arrived here on a C-130 Hercules as part of Air and Space Expeditionary Force Silver. They are assigned to the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron. The 354th EFS will replace the 81st EFS from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, as AEF Silver

  • AF tests facilities for radium on 6 bases

    Initial test results at facilities on six Air Force bases indicate employees are not at immediate risk from the residual radioactive material left over from old luminous paints. The paints were used at the bases more than 60 years ago. The initial tests results are from buildings here; the former

  • Subsidy will lower child-care rates

    A new Air Force Services family member program initiative will change how some family child-care rates are set.The family child-care subsidy program will help working parents find high-quality and affordable child care, said Kim Jackson, Air Force family member programs specialist.Parents seeking

  • Mandatory new form key to guiding officers’ careers

    Force development becomes more tangible for all officers, lieutenant colonel and below, who face assignments next year as they must complete an online Officer Development Plan, which is replacing the old preference worksheet.A "transitional" version of the form will be available on the Air Force

  • Cadets, officers discuss ethics

    With a laminated copy of the Honor Code on each table, 30 cadets spent several hours near here Nov. 3 listening to real-life ethical situations. Then they chose how they would respond as part of the academy’s character enrichment seminar.Cadets attend the mandatory character and leadership

  • Reserve forces management reviewed

    Recruiting and retention has "held up nicely despite stress on the force as a whole," said David Chu to members of the House Armed Services Committee here Nov. 5. He is the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness. A survey of active and reserve forces, which is done every four months,

  • Board releases KC-135 accident findings

    Air Force accident investigation board officials have determined the cause of a KC-135 Stratotanker ground accident that occurred April 1.Officials said the accident was caused by the failure of aircraft maintainers and operators to follow their inspection checklists and technical order guidance in

  • Bush thanks servicemembers in Iraq

    President George W. Bush sent the following message via the American Forces Radio and Television Service on Nov. 5:"It is my great privilege to speak to the men and women of the United States military in Iraq, and to thank you for your remarkable service to our country. You're serving far from

  • VA launches 'Kids Page' Web site

    Department of Veterans Affairs officials announced the launch of "VA Kids" on Nov. 5. The new Web page is designed to help young people understand what it means to be a veteran."The ideals of military service and patriotism can be unfamiliar to some children and young adults," said Anthony

  • Hiking adventure cements friendship

    Airman 1st Class Chas Kabanuck will be honored by the American Red Cross on Nov. 21 for his heroism after saving the life of his new friend in mid-February.Kabanuck and Airman 1st Class Ryan Dean had only been friends for two weeks after they met during their four weeks in McChord's first term

  • New equipment improves cancer treatment

    Wilford Hall Medical Center’s radiation oncology department recently purchased a new linear accelerator that is significantly improving patient care.Wilford Hall officials said they began performing radiation therapy more than 30 years ago, using a cobalt unit with an active radiation source, a

  • Airman sentenced in bank-theft scheme

    An airman here was sentenced by a military judge during a special court-martial Nov. 5 for his involvement in a bank-theft scheme. He was sentenced to a bad conduct discharge, confinement for eight months and a demotion to airman basic.Senior Airman David Leaven, of the 48th Aircraft Maintenance

  • New bird radar tracks patterns

    A bird-radar system here is a step toward the future of being able to advise air-traffic controllers and pilots of bird activity in the base’s airspace. “The bird-radar program could go amazing places,” said Herman Griese, 3rd Civil Engineer Squadron wildlife biologist. The system will be able to

  • CMSAF: Yesterday's, today's heroes

    The following is a message from Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray: “In small towns and large cities across our nation, Americans will gather Nov. 11 to remember those patriots who have given their lives to protect our treasured freedom.“Our living veterans bear the wounds of battle

  • AF leaders honor veterans

    The following is a joint message from Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper:“Americans nationwide take time to honor their military veterans every year on the day World War I ended when the Germans and Allied powers signed an armistice at the

  • AF translator faces court-martial

    A Travis Air Force Base, Calif., airman who was deployed as a translator for the detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, will be court-martialed. Maj. Gen. Paul W. Essex, 18th Air Force commander, referred formal charges Nov. 6 against Senior Airman Ahmad I. Al Halabi, of the 60th Logistics Readiness

  • Guardsmen begin Christmas season

    Santa’s C-130H turboprop Hercules sleigh delivered toys, clothing, books, school supplies and water to nearby Shishmaref on Nov. 6 to kick off the Christmas season. For the children and families of the remote island community, it was a special treat they looked forward to, officials said.“We’re

  • Team helps get news to America

    Senior coalition leaders in Iraq are about to increase their ability to keep America informed.Two state-of-the-art ultracompact satellite terminals -- along with a two-person team to set them up and get them working -- are on their way to Iraq. Starting in late November, the satellites will beam

  • Multiple factors cause T-1 accident

    Air Force officials completed their investigation of the Aug. 16 incident involving a T-1A Jayhawk. The aircraft from Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, departed the runway during a landing rollout at Keesler AFB, Miss., and sustained an estimated $2.5 million in structural damage.Accident

  • Program offers business opportunities to vets

    The Veterans Affairs loan program, long known for helping veterans get their own home, is now helping them obtain their own business.Veterans can now go from "defending the American dream to owning it," said Don DeBolt, president of the International Franchise Association, which sponsors the

  • Air Force crushes Army, 31-3

    Three Marchello Graddy fumble recoveries and three Joey Ashcroft field goals helped lead the Air Force Academy Falcons to its seventh victory of the season, beating the Army team 31-3.“It’s a win we desperately needed. We hadn’t won a game in 28 days,” said Fisher DeBerry, Falcons head coach. “The

  • Now showing: Nov. 10 edition of AFTV News

    The Air Force contribution to firefighting efforts in California headlines the latest edition of Air Force Television News. Tech. Sgt. Pachari Lutke and Staff Sgt. Melissa Allan report from the fire lines in two separate parts of the state, focusing on active-duty, Reserve and Air National Guard

  • Airmen say ‘I do’ in Black Hawk

    Two airmen said "I do" above Iraqi soil in an Army UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter here Nov. 6.Airmen 1st Class Vernon Millican and Toni Chapman, both of the deployed security forces contingent here, pledged to spend the rest of their lives together before God and four of their friends during the

  • Survey helps turn things around

    Great deeds can be built on small gestures. And with a good plan, it is possible to turn a unit around on a dime.When Vicki Preacher came here in July 2001 to fill the top post in the environmental management directorate, she found problems with morale spilled onto the mission.“There was

  • Air Force leads HIV/AIDS course

    International medical and military leaders representing nearly 12 countries, gathered here Nov. 3 to 7 to discuss awareness of HIV and AIDS and its impact to the military worldwide. The third annual course was held by Defense Institute for Medical Operations officials from Brooks City-Base,

  • OSI examines forensic sciences

    More than 120 criminal investigators worldwide attended the annual Air Force Office of Special Investigations Workshop here Nov. 3 to 7 to share ideas, technology and expertise.Although criminal investigators were the target audience, OSI agents were asked to invite anyone on their installation or

  • Boxers fight toward armed forces competition

    The last time the Air Force boxing team won the armed forces title only two of this year’s 31 training camp attendees had even been born. That 1975 championship squad was the last first-place finish Air Force enjoyed before the Army’s dynasty captured 26 of the next 28 inter-service crowns.For the

  • Engineer finds safety solution, earns cash

    When safety concerns surrounding NATO’s fleet of E-3 Sentry airborne early warning and control systems aircraft mounted, an engineer here knew time was of the essence.Certain electrical components in some of the NATO aircraft were overheating and there was evidence that the overheating could lead to

  • Global Hawk returns from Germany

    The Air Force’s Global Hawk Unmanned Aerial Vehicle has returned home from a successful three-week deployment to Germany, according to program officials.Landing at the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Nov. 7, after a 21.6 hour transatlantic flight, the vehicle

  • Injured Iraqi child flown to America

    A C-130 Hercules crew from here flew a critically wounded Iraqi child on the first leg of an aeromedical evacuation mission to the United States on Nov. 8.The 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing crew’s mission was to help save the child’s life, officials said.Nine-year-old Saleh Kahlaf was critically

  • Rumsfeld: 'Success' is exit strategy

    With "success" as the exit strategy, the numbers of U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq in the meantime "will depend on the security situation on the ground," the Defense Department's top civilian said here Nov. 10.Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld added that American troop strength in Iraq also

  • AF supports Operation Iron Hammer

    An AC-130 gunship helped destroy a warehouse when Operation Iron Hammer kicked off Nov. 12 with a series of coordinated U.S. strikes against anti-coalition insurgents in Iraq.Iron Hammer is a joint operation to target enemy operating areas, stop the enemy from staging weapons for use against

  • First C-5 Galaxy aircraft retires

    The first C-5 Galaxy to be retired from the Air Force inventory was delivered Nov. 4 to the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.Maintainers here prepared the Lackland AFB, Texas-based aircraft for long-term storage. The gigantic C-5 is an outsized

  • Lecture honors retired general

    The Southern Medical Association held its first lecture Nov. 8 named for retired Maj. Gen. (Dr.) Walter John Giller in Atlanta. The lecture is in tribute to the former mobilization assistant to the Air Force surgeon general who retired in December 1998 and died March 13.The Giller lecture reviewed

  • Fairchild captain receives 'world' award

    A Fairchild airman received the Junior Chamber International's Outstanding Young Persons of the World for 2003 award in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Nov. 7.Capt. Alan Adams, 96th Air Refueling Squadron readiness flight commander, was selected as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans in 2002 and was

  • Bucs show support for Guard, Reserve

    The NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers joined a cadre of Fortune 500 companies and thousands of America's employers Nov. 11 to show support for U.S. servicemembers.John Lynch, Buccaneers' safety, along with several local businessmen signed the Statements of Support for the National Guard and Reserve at the

  • City-base concept still progressing

    What used to be Brooks Air Force Base here is through its first year of morphing into a technology and business park via a unique partnership between the Air Force and San Antonio.Now known as Brooks City-Base, the technology park has sparked interest from numerous companies and organizations

  • Applications now accepted for intern program

    Air Force Research Laboratory Propulsion Directorate officials are kicking off the 3rd Annual Wright Scholar Research Assistant Program for summer 2004. High-school juniors and seniors can now apply for the opportunity to work hands-on research, while under the guidance of science and engineering

  • Plant saves money, resources

    The Air Force's first power plant to use methane gas piped in from a nearby landfill should be completed here by August, saving the base $600,000 per year in energy costs.Funded by the private sector, the plant will use methane gas from a nearby landfill, allowing power recipients to keep from

  • Tax relief aids military, families

    Legislation signed by President George W. Bush on Nov. 11 increases the death gratuity payment to $12,000 and provides that the full payment is tax-free.That portion of the Military Family Tax Relief Act of 2003 is retroactive to Sept. 10, 2001, to provide for servicemembers who died in the

  • Drunk driver kills airman’s father

    At 14, most people are not normally faced with a lifetime of pondering the aftermath of mixing together enormous amounts of alcohol, one out-of-control drunk and a weapon on wheels gunned at more than 100 mph.However, one leader here faces just that. “At 43, the signs (of my father’s death by a

  • Elmendorf first to field new AIM-9X

    The 12th and 19th fighter squadrons here are the first operational units within the Department of Defense to field and train with the new AIM-9X Sidewinder.A ceremony celebrating the achievement was held here Nov. 13. “We’re thrilled the 3rd Wing has the opportunity to be on the cutting edge of

  • First C-5 arrives at Balad

    The first C-5 Galaxy arrived here Nov. 12, from Dover Air Force Base, Del., increasing the Air Force presence at the Army's Logistical Support Area. A 14-person crew and about 21 truckloads of war materiel were on board the aircraft."This event is a significant milestone in support of the global

  • Retired CMSAF shares lessons with airmen

    The fifth chief master sergeant of the Air Force, Robert Gaylor, retired from the Air Force 24 years ago, but he is still on a mission for bluesuiters.He said he spoke to about 500 people here recently with one goal in mind -- that the audience left feeling it was time well spent.“I think most of

  • Work on 'LANs' proves airworthy

    A C-135C Speckled Trout crew recently tested an airborne local-area-network system designed to provide global broadband communications via satellite.A year in the making, the flight test launched a six-month initiative to prove this commercial off-the-shelf system can provide high-speed Internet,

  • Chaplain recalls journey from communism

    They would have arrested and interrogated him if he were not so sick.The Communist Party in Poland had heard enough of Father Stanislaw Pieczara’s Masses on Dec. 14, 1981. Just one day before, Soviet Union-based marital law locked the nation down. Pieczara prepared what he called a “joyful” Mass

  • Tae Bo creator helps open fitness center

    Pounding music, NBA-style introductions and cheers of more than 500 people accompanied the base’s 18-person fitness team as they ran onto the new basketball court Nov. 7 to workout with Billy Blanks, the creator of Tae Bo.The mix of military and civilians, spouses, children and friends turned out

  • AF sponsors Busch Series race car

    The next generation of the Wood Brothers racing team dynasty is “Crossing into the Blue” driving a specially painted Ford Taurus prominently featuring the Air Force logo and colors. Coming on the heels of his recent NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series win at Martinsville, Va., Jon Wood is making his 2003

  • Deployed airmen help Kyrgyz children

    A small group of security forces airmen here made a large impact on the lives of a group of ailing, special needs and underprivileged children from a local orphanage Nov. 8 as part of an ongoing humanitarian effort.The group of 10 airmen, predominantly from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., used

  • Presidential letters processed quicker

    Airmen and civilian employees can now get presidential retirement letters processed more quickly through an information manager in the legislative liaison office at the Pentagon.People serving more than 30 years on active duty, as civilian employees, or a combination of both, can request a

  • Iron Hammer continues pounding

    Air Force and Army aircraft reportedly pounded insurgent staging and operating facilities and killed seven people preparing an attack on U.S. forces during the second night of Operation Iron Hammer in Iraq.U.S. Central Command officials reported Nov. 14 that F-16 Fighting Falcons overnight destroyed

  • Coalition health care a combined effort

    The mission of the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing here is to project combat airpower in the U.S. Central Command area of operations. But that mission is not possible without a fit, healthy team of international coalition members operating as a cohesive team. Medics from the 376th Expeditionary

  • First call-to-service airmen graduate

    The first person to enlist into the Air Force under the National Call to Service program graduated from Basic Military Training on Nov. 14 at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Airman Hector Barreto of Ingleside, Texas, joined seven other airmen graduating who were among the first to take advantage of

  • Lobos take bite out of Falcons bowl chances

    The University of New Mexico Lobos took a 24-12 bite out of the U.S. Air Force Academy’s bowl aspirations with a dominating win at Lobo Stadium on Nov. 15.“They certainly made the plays, their team deserved to win, and they were the better football team today,” said Fisher DeBerry, Falcons head

  • Discrimination, harassment hot line available

    The Air Force's hot line for reporting unlawful discrimination and sexual harassment remains open for business.The quickest method to resolve complaints is by visiting the local base military equal opportunity or the equal employment office, Air Force Personnel Center officials said."But the hot

  • 'One click, one call' customer service arrives for pay, personnel issues

    A one-stop customer service phone number and Web page are up and running, linking several call centers and online resources Air Force people use when managing personnel and pay information.A single phone number and a companion Web site now make it easier for Air Force active-duty and reserve