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  • DOD to discontinue remote home school program

    The Department of Defense Education Activity will discontinue its Remote Home School Program beginning in school year 2007-2008, DODEA officials announced Jan. 25."We understand this unique program is valued by our families," said Joseph D. Tafoya, DODEA director. "Unfortunately, with the funding

  • Air Force proposes adding 23 F-15s, F-16s at Nellis

    The Air Force is proposing to base 23 additional F-15 Eagles and F-16 Fighting Falcons here and to add about 520 people as a result of changes mandated by the recent Base Realignment and Closure process. Under the proposed action, the 64th Aggressor Squadron would receive five F-16 aircraft and the

  • Video teleconferencing connects military families

    Days away from home, eons away from loved ones ... at least that is how it feels to some when a military member is deployed. But new capabilities here can make the world a lot smaller for military families. Earlier this month, 10 Airmen from the 354th Civil Engineer Squadron who are deployed to Iraq

  • Airmen train with Marines for urban warfare

    Camp Hansen Marines recently taught sniper tactics to two Airmen from the 36th Contingency Response Group from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The 3rd Marine Expeditionary Forces Special Operations Training Group on Camp Hansen offers courses designed to enhance the training of servicemembers

  • Eielson Airmen return from deployment

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

  • DOD, VA announce plans for joint inpatient record system

    The Defense and Veterans Affairs departments have announced plans for a common inpatient electronic health-record system.The two departments now have separate systems that require upgrade, officials said. "I am very excited by the prospect of adopting a common, mutually beneficial solution to our

  • Secretary Wynne: Airmen bring leverage to joint fight

    Airmen are increasingly meeting the enemy face-to-face while augmenting ground commanders in non-traditional roles more typical of Soldiers, said Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Jan. 19. These in-lieu-of taskings, as they are known, are part of the Air

  • Swimming: Cadet earns third conference honor

    A U.S. Air Force Academy senior was named Mountain West Conference men's swimmer of the week Jan. 24 by the conference office. This is Cadet Chris Knaute's third honor this season and seventh of his career. The cadet from Houston led Air Force to a 175-125 win past two-time defending MWC champions

  • Security forces Airmen complete 'Fly Away' course at Fort Dix

    Sixty security forces Airmen from across the Air Force prepared for an overseas deployment while attending the Fly Away Security Training, or FAST, Course 07-1 Jan. 18 here. Each student gained new skills in everything from hand-to-hand combat to anti-hijacking training. The FAST course is the first

  • New technology expands Air Force's combat capability

    The 820th Security Forces Group was selected recently as the first Air Force unit to purchase and deploy the Ground Situational Awareness Toolkit. The GSAT system, consisting of the Scan Eagle unmanned aerial system and ShotSpotter gunfire acquisition technology, will allow Airmen to identify

  • Alaska unit deals with challenges of tropical weather

    The mission of U.S. jet fighter maintainers is direct: fix what is wrong in a timely fashion to get the jets back on the flightline and ready for take-off. That is the goal of 18th Aircraft Maintenance Unit Airmen from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, as they take part in exercise Commando Sling at

  • 20 years of lethality: Ellsworth celebrates B-1's history

    The 28th Bomb Wing received its first B-1B Lancer on Jan. 21, 1987. Over the course of its 20 years of service with the wing, the aircraft and its mission have changed significantly. The B-1B has roots in the 1970s, when it became obvious that winning the Cold War required stepping up technology.

  • Flex Team deploys at moment's notice

    The 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron's Fire and Emergency Services Flex Team deploys at a moment's notice to forward-operating bases to provide aircraft rescue, emergency medical and firefighting support whenever and wherever needed. Humanitarian and special operations missions also need

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 24

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 24.In Afghanistan Jan. 23, Air Force F-15 Eagles provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with enemy forces near Ghazni. An Air Force B-1B Lancer, Royal Air

  • Senior maintenance leaders look forward with defined goals

    Top Air Force leaders from the maintenance fields met in San Antonio in December for the semiannual Air Force Maintenance and Munitions Advisory Group meeting. Brig. Gen. Kathleen D. Close, the Air Force director of maintenance, led the meeting that included representatives from all major commands

  • Basketball: Falcons defeat TCU, 72-39

    The nationally ranked No. 16 Air Force men's team defeated Texas Christian University 72-39 on Jan. 22 for their 27th straight victory at home. For the complete story, visit the academy sports Web site at www.goairforcefalcons.com

  • Falcon sports: Weekend hoops, gymnastics wrap-up

    The Air Force Academy's men's basketball team won its 26th straight home game, while the Lady Falcons fell to Utah and the gymnastics picked up two top-10 finishes. Men's basketball U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- The nationally ranked No. 13 Air Force men's team defeated San Diego State University

  • Okinawa Naval hospital unit has Air Force ties

    Members of the U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa Neonatal Intensive Care Unit located on Camp Lester are people you trust with your most valuable treasure -- your baby.The NICU is the closest neonatal intensive care unit in the Western Pacific that offers state-of-the-art neonatal care to all infants in

  • AFSO 21 initiatives streamline PHA process

    Airmen at Misawa AB ushered in a new era as they now complete their yearly personal health assessments, or PHAs, online. The computer-based questionnaire asks the same questions that were asked on the paper worksheet during a hospital visit, but now Airmen just log into the secure Web site and

  • Gymnastics: Academy freshman earns honors

    An Air Force Academy freshman was named Gymnast of the Week by the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation for the week ending Jan. 15, league officials announced Jan. 23.During the Falcons' season opener with the 17th-ranked Denver University Pioneers Jan. 13, Michelle Denise, of Kennewick, Wash.,

  • Airmen depart Mildenhall for Southwest Asia

    More than 350 Airmen from across the Air Force, including about 80 from RAF Mildenhall, deployed Jan. 23 as part of Air and Space Expeditionary Force 5 and 6. There are already more than 400 Airmen from RAF Mildenhall deployed to different locations in support of the war on terrorism, said Capt.

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 23

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 23. In Afghanistan Jan. 22, Air Force F-15 Eagles and a B-1B Lancer provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with enemy forces near Carlson. The B-1B

  • Air Force names 2006 Sijan award recipients

    Air Force officials announced four Airmen have been selected for the 2006 Lance P. Sijan Air Force Leadership Award Jan. 23. The Sijan award annually recognizes Airmen who demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities while assigned to organizations at the wing level or below. The 2006 winners are:

  • Spangdahlem Airmen deploy to fill Army billets

    It is hard to know what to expect on a first deployment. The mystery is even deeper for Airmen deploying as In Lieu Of Forces who are filling traditional Army billets.This was the case for 1st Lt. Ben Taber and Capt. Scott MacNeil of the 52nd Logistic Readiness Squadron as the two volunteered for a

  • Service secretaries visit Guam to analyze joint basing status

    William C. Anderson, assistant secretary of the Air Force for installations, environment and logistics, and his Navy counterpart, B J Penn, traveled to Guam to analyze the status of joint basing and future Guam development.Retired Marine Corps Maj. Gen. David Bice accompanied the assistant

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 22

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 22.In Afghanistan Jan. 21, 23 close-air-support missions were flown in support of Afghan and International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols. Additionally, nine

  • Radiology team provides critical care for battlefield injuries

    In a combat zone, determining the proper medical treatment for battlefield injuries can be a matter of life or death. The 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group Radiology Flight ensures fast and accurate image production and interpretation are conducted so patients receive the right care. "Radiology

  • Andersen units rescue injured hiker

    An Airman assigned to the 36th Expeditionary Operations Group was injured while hiking near the base beach Jan. 21 here. The Airman was injured after falling approximately 10 to 15 feet while hiking on a downhill slope close to Tarague Beach, and three other hikers were able to call for emergency

  • A-10s set to soar in Al Anbar province

    A-10 Thunderbolt IIs assigned to the 438th Air Expeditionary Group landed one by one at their new home Jan. 17 here. A formation of more than 200 Airmen assembled for the 438th AEG activation and assumption of command ceremony Jan. 15 as the unit is in the Al Anbar province to provide close-air

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 21

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 21. In Afghanistan Jan. 20, Air Force B-1B Lancers and Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in enemy contact near Qurya. The B-1Bs

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 20

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 20.In Afghanistan Jan. 19, 14 close-air support missions were flown in support of International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols. Additionally,

  • Hockey: Army beats Air Force 2-0

    Army goaltender Josh Kassel made 36 saves to lift Army to a 2-0 win over Air Force in an Atlantic Hockey Association game Friday, Jan. 20, at the Cadet Ice Arena. The two teams split the series as Air Force won Friday's game, 4-1. Air Force fell to 12-9-5 overall and 9-4-5 in the league. Army is now

  • Swimming & Diving: Air Force knocks off defending league champs

    In one of the programs biggest victories, the Air Force men's swimming & diving team defeated two-time defending Mountain West Conference Champion UNLV, 175-125, in front of over 1,000 rowdy fans at the Cadet Natatorium. On the women's side, the Rebels defeated the Falcons 180-100. The Falcon men

  • Gone with the wings: C-5 removal process in full swing

    The wings of the C-5 aircraft that landed short of the runway April 3, 2006 were removed Jan. 17 by an Ohio-based contractor. Using giant mobile shears, InterGroup International, a company that buys, reprocesses and sells post-industrial scrap, chopped the wings off the remaining C-5 shell from the

  • Langley receives last Raptor, completes fleet

    The 1st Fighter Wing received its last assigned F-22A Raptor Friday when the 94th Fighter Squadron accepted tail number 5085, bringing the total to 40 F-22s to complete the fleet. Brig. Gen. Burt Field, 1st Fighter Wing commander, flew the final jet from the Lockheed Martin factory in Marietta, Ga.,

  • Hanscom welcomes heroes home

    A crowd of more than 500 gathered to welcome home 80 Hanscom deployers with praise and thanks at the Aero Club Hangar Jan. 19. The Heroes' Homecoming, the first event of its kind here, honored troops who returned from deployments over the past six months. Chief Master Sgt. Lisa Sirois, 66th Air Base

  • Fairchild rescue flight saves 3 in busy week

    Helicopter crews from the 36th Rescue Flight here rescued a man and his son Jan. 11 and a woman Jan. 14 in what turned out to be a busy, heroic week in North Idaho. The second save was number 613 for the flight, which is part of the U.S. Survival School, a tenant unit at Fairchild. The action

  • California Air National Guard F-16 crashes in remote area

    A California Air National Guard F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed at approximately 10:30 a.m. Jan. 19 in Owens Valley, Calif. while on a routine training mission. The pilot ejected safely and was recovered by China Lake Naval Air Station search and rescue people. The aircraft was from the 144th Fighter

  • Airmen help keep troops off roads

    The Air Force detachment at Q-West has moved more than 1,100 cargo pallets by air since arriving in September, taking about 333 convoy trucks off the road and keeping 778 Soldiers out of harm's way. Detachment 2 of the 332nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron deployed to Iraq faced with a

  • Latest radio technology declared ready

    For nearly a year, the Air Force has developed and tested a communications system allowing commanders to talk directly to troops operating convoys outside the bases. Today, Radio over Internet Protocol Router network, or RIPRnet has earned its initial operational capablity title, achieving a

  • Lajes Airmen prepare to deploy

    Today's Airmen are taking on more nontraditional roles that put them directly into the fight. This makes combat skills training essential for every Airman headed downrange.Predeployment training can make the difference between life and death in operations around the world. Airmen selected to go

  • Core values make impossible happen

    The "Iceman Team" recently accomplished an enormous undertaking the Air Force way -- Airmen taking care of Airmen. Following the end of its 20-year Sprucewood Homes development lease in August, Eielson leaders made the difficult decision to relocate 241 families on very short notice. "Following

  • Servicemembers provide a little TLC

    The cries and coos of orphaned babies echo atop a green fenced-in veranda in Djibouti City, Djibouti. Three times a week, American servicemembers visit the Franciscan Missionaries of Notre Dame Baby Orphanage to help feed and play with the babies. People assigned to the camp volunteer to participate

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 19

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 19. In Afghanistan Jan. 18, an Air Force B-1 Lancer provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with enemy forces near Wama. The B-1 expended GBU-38 bombs on

  • USAFE celebrates 65 years of airpower

    United States Air Forces in Europe celebrates its 65th anniversary as the oldest, continuously active Air Force major command.USAFE began Jan. 19, 1942, when the War Department established Headquarters 8th Air Force, and the command continues its forward presence in Europe and Africa -- from

  • Columbus T-38 crashes

    A Columbus AFB T-38 Talon crashed about 1:30 p.m. Jan. 18 approximately 40 miles south of Memphis, Tenn. There were two pilots on board and both ejected safely. Both pilots were examined by medical authorities, released and returned to Columbus AFB. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was

  • USAFE medics bring expertise to Liberia

    A team of eight medics from five U.S. Air Forces in Europe bases recently arrived in Liberia as part of a technical training initiative for the new Armed Forces of Liberia. The country, which was ravaged by nearly 15 years of civil war before it held a democratic election in November 2005, is

  • Basketball: Lady Falcons lose to New Mexico 60-46

    In the middle of its first conference road trip of the year, the Air Force women's basketball team lost to New Mexico, 60-46, Thursday evening at The Pit. The Falcons fall to 4-12 on the season, 0-5 in the Mountain West Conference, while the Lobos improve to 12-6 overall, 2-3 on the league. Senior

  • Deployed B-52s complete counter-sea exercise

    Usually, naval mines are placed at sea by dedicated ships traveling days from their home port. However, Airmen deployed to Guam's Andersen Air Force Base showcased the B-52 Stratofortress bomber's capability to quickly and accurately deliver naval mines while flying at 1,000 feet above the sea. The

  • Baseball: Air Force announces 2007 schedule

    The Air Force Academy baseball team is slated to take on 18 different opponents in a 53-game schedule for the 2007 season. The Falcons open the season Feb. 3 hosting Colorado Christian. Air Force is slated to play 22 home games, and 28 games total in Colorado. Highlights of the non-conference season

  • Travis trains Pacific AMC crews to maintain KC-10s

    In an effort to streamline KC-10 Extender maintenance responsibilities in the Pacific theater, the 60th Maintenance Operations Squadron here developed a two-phase course designed to teach enroute maintainers how to recover aircraft and perform basic maintenance tasks to help move aircraft through

  • Software maintainers help warfighters achieve mission

    While the E-8 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System, or Joint STARS, platform is celebrated for its ability to provide air commanders with real-time ground surveillance in support of attack operations, the surveillance giant couldn't complete its mission without the support from Airmen of

  • JPADS continues 'revolution in airdrop technology'

    Since October 2005, the Air Mobility Warfare Center here has partnered in an effort to revolutionize the way the Air Force does its airlift airdrops in the expeditionary environment and around the globe with the Joint Precision Air Drop System, or JPADS, initiative."When it was said to make this

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 18

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 18.In Afghanistan Jan. 17, Air Force B-1 Lancers provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with enemy forces in Carlson, Wama and Sangin. Air Force F-15

  • AFSO 21 event targets transportation efficiency

    Air Force leaders continue to shape wartime work processes by applying Lean principles and techniques from Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century.Functional-area experts representing the majority of the combatant commanders as well as the Joint Staff met here Jan. 8 to 12 to look at

  • MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle crashes

    A U.S. Central Command Air Forces MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle crashed five miles southeast of Baghdad International Airport Jan. 17 at approximately 11:35 p.m. local Baghdad time. The crash site is an unpopulated area and no collateral damage or injuries occurred.The aircraft is a

  • Two Korean Air jets divert to Kunsan

    Two Boeing 747 aircraft made emergency landings here Jan. 17 after Incheon International Airport's runway closed for low visibility due to fog.The two Korean Air jets -- one laden with cargo, the other with passengers -- were greeted by 8th Fighter Wing leaders and support personnel with open

  • Position coaching staff for Air Force football now complete

    Air Force head football coach Troy Calhoun completed his position coaching staff Jan. 17 with the hiring of Clay Hendrix and the retention of Ron Burton. Hendrix will coach the offensive line while Burton will remain as the defensive line coach.Hendrix comes to Air Force after completing 19 seasons

  • Career enlisted aviator positions open

    Opportunities are currently available for Airmen who wish to become career enlisted aviators. The Air Force has immediate openings for flight engineers, loadmasters, airborne mission systems, flight attendants, and airborne crypto logic linguists.First-term Airmen who have completed half of their

  • Charleston squadron helps build 'a room for Phillip'

    The Airmen of the Air Force Reserve Command's 300th Airlift Squadron have a history of reaching out to those in need. Each year, the squadron donates time and money to a deserving person or family. This year the 300th AS is doing more to aid a little boy who needs some big help. Led by Master Sgt.

  • Defense news, information now customized for mobile devices

    Defense Department news releases, articles and other information are now available in a new format that is customized for easier viewing on BlackBerries and other mobile devices, officials said. The new, mobile-device-friendly format can be accessed at www.dod.mil/mobile, officials affiliated with

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 17

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 17. In Afghanistan Jan. 16, 19 close-air support missions were flown in support of Afghan and International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols. Additionally,

  • Wing begins new chapter with F-15E

    Continuing to show a strong force and a visible presence in Afghanistan, the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing added a new capability to its inventory Jan. 14. With more than 200 Airmen supporting its mission, the F-15E Strike Eagle deployed from the 391st Fighter Squadron at Mountain Home Air Force

  • Mountain Home Airmen earn Bronze Stars, Army medals

    Four members of the 366th Civil Engineer Squadron earned the U.S. military's fourth-highest award during a ceremony Jan. 8 for their individual bravery and heroism while serving in Iraq. Capt. Stephanie Root, Tech. Sgt. David Fitzgerald, Staff Sgt. Michael Pray and Staff Sgt. Sjon Higgins earned the

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 15

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 15.In Afghanistan Jan. 14, an Air Force B-1 Lancer provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with enemy forces near Qurya. The B-1 expended guided bomb

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 16

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 16. In Afghanistan Jan. 15, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and a B-1B Lancer provided close-air support to International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with enemy forces near Qurya. The B-1B

  • 'HOA Flex' channels supplies to military trainers

    U.S. servicemembers at three remote camps in the Horn of Africa depend on Air Force airlift to bring them life-sustaining supplies. These isolated sites, known as contingency operating locations, are scattered across a desolate and austere terrain two-thirds the size of the United States. This is

  • The nose knows: four-legged 'troops' sniff out explosives

    Two of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team's most valuable assets never talk about work, preferring to let the results speak for themselves. Even with their quiet demeanor, they have uncovered numerous weapons caches and explosives, and have become two of the most popular members of the unit. They are the

  • Hub-and-spoke missions provide tactical airlift in Iraq

    Whether it's operating from rough dirt strips or dropping off troops and equipment into hostile areas, C-130 Hercules keep convoys off the road in Iraq through airpower. Members of the 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron deployed from Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., fly C-130 hub-and-spoke

  • Hockey: Air Force ties Holy Cross again

    For the second consecutive night, Air Force and Holy Cross skated to a 2-2 overtime tie in an Atlantic Hockey Association game Jan. 13 at the Hart Center in Worcester, Mass. "From the drop of the puck to the end of overtime, it was a great college hockey game," head coach Frank Serratore said. "The

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 14

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 14.In Afghanistan Jan. 13, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and a B-1B Lancer provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force troops in contact with enemy forces near forward operating base

  • Team Kadena members deploy

    More than 600 Airmen from here have begun deploying as part of Air Expeditionary Force Cycles 5 and 6 to various locations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to support the war on terrorism. As Airmen prepared to board commercial aircraft for flights to locations in Iraq and Qatar,

  • Gymnastics: Cadets shine in Rocky Mountain Open

    With freshmen Brennan Wolford and Garrett Canter earning individual honors, the Air Force men's gymnastics team concluded a successful afternoon of competition Jan. 13 here at the event finals of the Rocky Mountain Open. Wolford, from Thornville, Ohio, posted a career-best 8.200 on the floor

  • Air Force Reserve to form associate unit at Eglin

    As part of Air Force total force integration initiatives, the Air Force Reserve Command is teaming up with Air Combat Command to establish an associate unit at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The process is tentatively scheduled to start in fiscal 2008. Plans propose support of the 53rd Wing and its test

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 13

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 13.In Afghanistan Jan. 12, an Air Force B-1B Lancer provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force troops in contact with enemy forces near Orgun-e. The B-1B expended guided bomb unit-31s on

  • Airmen deploy to Andersen for AEF rotation

    Eighty-three Airmen from both Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., and MacDill AFB, Fla., deployed recently to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam to form the 506th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron during a 120-day Air Expeditionary Force deployment cycle. "We have come and taken over for the Guard,"

  • Hill memorializes bombing victims

    Eyes swelled, tears fell and uniforms were moistened, yet Airmen who gathered here Jan. 12 were comforted as they paid tribute, expressed high regard, and refused to allow anything to dampen the memory of their comrades killed earlier this week in Iraq.Tech. Sgt. Timothy Weiner, Senior Airman Daniel

  • Academy cadet invited to gymnastics winter cup challenge

    A U.S. Air Force Academy junior was selected to participate in the Winter Cup Challenge this February, USA Gymnastics announced Jan. 10. Cadet Greg Stine of Houston is just the third academy gymnast in the history of the program to participate at the nationally-recognized meet, which will help

  • Patient care system aims to reduce medical errors

    The Defense Department has trained thousands of military health care providers to employ a quality management system that's designed to minimize human errors in hospital operating and delivery rooms, a senior defense official said Jan. 11. The Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and

  • Red Flag ramps up, F-22 to make debut

    The first Red Flag exercise this year, dubbed "Colonial Flag," is scheduled to begin Jan. 16 at Nellis AFB, marking the 32nd year for Red Flag operations. This is the first of three Red Flags this year, and the F-22 Raptor is participating for the first time.More than 200 aircraft and about 5,200

  • Spangdahlem crew keeps pilots ready for action

    The 52nd Fighter Wing's Saber Control crew at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, has one mission: To enhance the training of pilots stationed there. The unit accomplishes this task by training pilots in an environment that mimics what they see and who they talk to while deployed. "In air time battle,

  • Pararescue jumpers train 'that others may live'

    They train for the worst things imaginable and respond to the unthinkable. Paraescue jumpers, or PJs, can be found in the mountains of Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa or the streets of Iraq -- prepared to undertake any situation to recover a servicemember. At Camp Lemonier, a small group of PJs from

  • Minot AFB celebrates 50th anniversary

    Base officials here celebrated Jan. 10 Minot's 50th anniversary of becoming an official entity of the U.S. Air Force.Though the groundbreaking ceremony took place July 12, 1955, and the first unit, the 32nd Fighter Group, wasn't activated until Feb. 7, 1957, Jan. 10 holds just as much significance

  • Officials name top athletes for 2006

    Air Force Services Agency officials have chosen Capt. Linda Jeffery as Air Force Female Athlete of the Year and Master Sgt. Martin Bedford as Male Athlete of the Year for 2006. Captain Jeffery won the All-Air Force Women's Golf Championship and went on to lead the Air Force team to the 2006 Armed

  • Fallen EOD Airmen remembered during Sather memorial

    A memorial Jan. 10 honored the lives of three 447th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal Airmen killed in the line of duty Jan. 7. The members of "Team Lima" -- Tech. Sgt. Timothy Weiner, Senior Airman Daniel Miller, and Senior Airman Elizabeth Loncki -- all deployed

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 12

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 12. In Afghanistan Jan 11, an Air Force B-1B Lancer and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Gereshk.

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 11

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 11.In Afghanistan Jan. 10, Air Force B1-B Lancers and Royal Air Force GR-7s provided close-air support to International Security Assistance Force troops in contact with enemy forces near Gereshk. The B1-Bs expended

  • 'Commando' Airmen continue heritage into future

    Keeping a promise is important to many people. But, keeping the Air Commando's promise -- to provide precise and reliable Air Force special operations air power, any time, any place -- is the motto Airmen of the 1st Special Operations Wing live by. The wing is the only active duty special operations

  • 55th Wing marks 6,000 days in Southwest Asia

    For the men and women assigned to the 55th Wing, an intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and command and control unit here, there's a saying about their 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year mission of supporting intelligence operations somewhere around the world. "The sun never sets on the

  • 1st Special Operations Wing mission

    The 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Fla., is the Air Force's only active duty special operations wing and falls under the Air Force Special Operations Command. The 1st SOW mission focus is unconventional warfare: counter-terrorism, combat search and rescue, personnel recovery,

  • First C-21 arrives in North Dakota

    The first official 119th Fighter Wing C-21 aircraft arrived Jan. 10 in Fargo.The aircraft marks the unit's transition from the F-16 Fighting Falcon to the C-21 and MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle. "The Happy Hooligans have proven themselves as the best of the best in every mission they have

  • The Air Commandos

    A sign over the doorway of a squat white building near the Hurlburt Field, Fla., runway of Eglin Air Force Base declares, "The Mission of the Air Force is to Fight." (Editor's note: This article is reprinted from Airman Magazine, September 1962.) The men wearing tennis shorts and sneakers, flying

  • Historian revisits wing's past

    The 1st Special Operations Wing has a rich and honored history that began in Burma and continues at Hurlburt Field. The 1st SOW can trace its lineage back to "Project 9" which evolved into the 1st Air Commando Group during World War II. During the Quebec Trident Conference of August 1943, it was

  • Air traffic controllers take on new roles

    Air traffic controllers deployed to Djibouti in the Horn of Africa must sometimes take on new roles in accomplishing the daily mission.During the current deployment, the controllers aren't actually controlling the skies above Camp Lemonier. "We're here in the event there's a communication barrier

  • Engineer gains valuable experience in Afghanistan

    A day in the life of a project engineer fills up pretty quickly. Between meetings and constant walks around the base to survey projects, there's concrete to be poured, gravel to be delivered and contractors needing guidance. This will be the norm for Capt. Dave Lin over the course of his six-month

  • Weather technician trains observers at Afghan outpost

    A battlefield weather Airman assigned to work with Army aviation units recently spent two days training members of the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team to report weather observations. Senior Airman Nathan Fried of the 20th Expeditionary Air Support and Operations Squadron at Bagram Air Base

  • Bush outlines new strategy for course ahead in Iraq

    President Bush's new strategy for Iraq, announced Jan. 10 in a televised speech to the nation, includes more than 20,000 additional U.S. troops on the ground in Baghdad and Anbar province, increased responsibility for the Iraqi government and Iraqi security forces, and more diplomatic and economic

  • More provincial reconstruction teams to stand up in Iraq

    President George W. Bush's new strategy for Iraq includes expanding the number of provincial reconstruction teams from 10 to at least 18 to better support political and economic progress, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said at a news conference Jan. 11.Secretary Rice joined Defense Secretary

  • USAFE commander visits units in England

    The U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander visited the geographically separated units that make up the 501st Combat Support Wing in England Jan. 8 to 10.Gen. William T. Hobbins, accompanied by his wife, Robbin Hobbins, and Chief Master Sgt. Gary Coleman, the USAFE command chief, visited with the 501st

  • Emblem symbolizes wing's mission

    The emblem of the 1st Special Operations Wing symbolizes its 63-year mission and emphasizes that the wing is the single focal point for all Air Force special operations matters.The shield reflects its historic past as the first organization to field limited and unconventional warfare. It was