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  • Free computer-based training resources available

    In an effort to fill the gap between tight budgets and training requirements, officials here are reminding Airmen and Air Force civilians that there is a place to go for free computer-based training. Hosted on the Air Force Portal, the IT e-Learning program primarily offers continuing education to

  • Free 'Cross Cultural Communication' course offers CCAF credit

    The Air Force Culture and Language Center, part of Air University's Spaatz Center, is now taking applications for the summer session of its "Introduction to Cross-Cultural Communication" course. The course, including all instructional material, is provided at no cost, and delivered via AU's

  • Free Iraqi forces: 'Members of the team' liberating Iraq

    They're intimately familiar with Iraqi language and culture, they wear distinctive uniforms, they serve with U.S. civil affairs troops in Iraq -- and they don't like Saddam Hussein.Who are these guys?They're members of the Free Iraqi Forces working with U.S. Army and Marine Corps civil affairs units

  • Free mobile app for basic military training available to Airmen

    A free mobile phone application geared toward people preparing for life in the Air Force and focusing on physical training was released June 2. The mobile app, called "Fundamentals," is available for download from the iTunes Store and will be available from the Android Market in early July. "The

  • Free program helps Airmen find local sitters

    Airmen now have another option when it comes to choosing a caretaker for their children, pets and homes or choosing a tutor.Sittercity helps connect people who need babysitters, nannies, pet sitters, tutors, housekeepers and adult caregivers with reputable and trusted service providers. Now, the

  • Free smartphone app designed to keep Airmen informed

    The Air Force launched a free mobile application geared toward informing Airmen and families about force support squadron morale, welfare and recreation events happening on their bases."MyAirForceLife," developed by the Air Force Personnel Center, links eligible patrons to force support

  • Free software must be returned

    Air Force people who have received a promotional copy of a popular office productivity software suite, are instructed to return it to the sender. The Microsoft Corporation sent promotional copies of its popular "Office" software to a half million customers -- some in the Air Force. The commercial

  • Free summer camp sign-up deadline nears

    Even though the registration deadline is only a week away, there's still room for military children to attend an "Operation Purple" summer camp free of charge, according to National Military Family Association officials. Applications are available only online, and officials emphasized they will be

  • Free tax preparation, advice available to military families

    To ease the burden of tax-filing season, the Defense Department, through Military OneSource, is teaming up again this year with H&R Block to offer no-cost tax preparation to the military community with a promise of guaranteed accuracy.

  • Freedom Award recognizes Guard, Reserve supporters

    Reserve component members still have time to nominate their civilian employers for the 2013 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, officials from Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a DOD agency, said today.Nominations for the award are due by Jan. 21, 2013. The award is the

  • Freedom Conference Center NCOs boost morale

    Air Force supervisors make it their mission to provide leadership to their subordinate Airmen as well as boost unit morale whenever possible. One pair of NCOs here takes boosting morale one step further serving as the focal point for the entire base. 379th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron, Tech.

  • Freedom Miles encourages Ellsworth families to stay healthy

    Officials from the Ellsworth Air Force Base Airman and Family Readiness Center and base fitness center are sponsoring a 14-week program called Freedom Miles designed to encourage the spouses of deployed Airmen to stay active during the military members' deployment.Freedom Miles kicked off with a

  • 'Freedom Walk' honors servicemembers

    The "America Supports You Freedom Walk" scheduled Sept. 11 has an important message for all Americans, a senior official said Aug. 10."We cannot forget that this country came under a serious attack on (Sept. 11), and we lost a lot of lives, and it was tragic," said Allison Barber, deputy assistant

  • Freedom Walk takes place Sept. 11

    The first “Freedom Walk” to honor the victims of Sept. 11, 2001, and America’s servicemembers, as well as to celebrate freedom will begin at 10 a.m., at the Pentagon on Sept. 11.Participants will arrive at the Pentagon south parking lot near the site where the airliner crashed into the Pentagon.

  • 'Freedom Walk' to commemorate 9/11, celebrate freedom

    Defense Department officials announced Aug. 9 the first "America Supports You” Freedom Walk to honor the victims of Sept. 11, 2001, and America's servicemembers, as well as to celebrate freedom.The Freedom Walk will begin at 10 a.m. Sept. 11 in the Pentagon south parking lot, near the site where the

  • Freedom Walks to commemorate 9/11, honor veterans

    Tens of thousands of Americans in all 50 states and the District of Columbia are preparing to put on their walking shoes during the next few days as they participate in Freedom Walks to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and to honor veterans, past and

  • Freethinkers, Pagans discuss intersections of mind, spirit

    Members of the Air Force Academy's Freethinkers group invited members of the Special Program in Religious Education earth-centered spirituality group to discuss their beliefs, views and experiences during a SPIRE meeting here Oct. 18.SPIRE members set aside time each week for the religiously diverse

  • Freeze-dried plasma to the rescue

    Since hemorrhage is the leading cause of preventable death in combat casualties, Air Force Special Operations Command is improving access to blood products on the battlefield.

  • French air force visit strengthens partnership

    Since its standup in 2009, Air Force Global Strike Command has worked to build and maintain a strong relationship with its allies in the French air forces.In continuing that partnership, Lt. Gen. Philippe Steininger, the commander of the French air force's Strategic Air Forces Command, along with a

  • French airmen train at Luke

    Approximately 20 French air force aircrews, 60 maintainers and support personnel and four Rafale aircraft visited the base here to participate in an exercise July 28 to Aug. 8. The major coalition exercise here provided a unique opportunity for the French Rafale pilots and Luke's F-16 Fighting

  • French award National Defense Gold Medal to pararescue Airmen

    Three 83rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron Airmen were awarded the French National Defense Gold Medal with bronze star during a ceremony at Forward Operating Base Morales-Frazier July 8.French Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Maurin, the Task Force La Fayette IV commander, presented Capt. John Mosier, an HH-60G

  • French citizens hold exhibition honoring 48th Fighter Bomber Wing

    Today, the 48th Fighter Wing is located in England, but that wasn't always the case.From 1952 to 1967, the 48th Fighter Bomber Wing, predecessor to the 48th FW, operated out of Chaumont Air Base, in northeastern France, with 75 jets and 2,500 American Airmen at its peak.Recently, a group of French

  • French finish coalition flying mission

    After three months of flying support and combat sorties, the French air force successfully fulfilled its mission here today. The French air force flew Operation Enduring Freedom began close air support, armed reconnaissance and convoy-escort missions in support of the parliamentary elections in

  • French forces rejoin Operation Enduring Freedom

    The French Navy Carrier Air Wing returned to the coalition fight May 2, flying their first missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom since November. "Our main mission while we are here is to support troops on the ground and contribute to reconnaissance efforts as well," said Lt. Col. Gerard

  • French help fuel Operation Enduring Freedom

    In pursuing the war on terrorism, the United States fights side-by-side with its coalition partners. One of the fundamental missions here at the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing is the aerial refueling mission accomplished by the 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron in support of Operation Enduring

  • French honor U.S. Air Force senior leaders

    Two Air Force senior officers were inducted recently into the French Legion d'Honneur, their highest award given for outstanding service to France.Gen. John P. Jumper, Air Force chief of staff, and Gen. John W. Handy, commander of U.S. Transportation Command and Air Mobility Command, were presented

  • French pilots, families integrate into base, community

    Two French air force pilots are currently calling Moody Air Force Base, Ga., home. Commandant Yann Malard and Capitaine Sebastian Alvarez are currently integrated with a fighter squadron and rescue squadron, respectively, as they become proficient on their particular airframes. "The units here and

  • French unmanned aircraft protect Bagram Airmen, coalition forces

    Airmen of the French unmanned aircraft system operational squadron here are active on patrols in the sky over Afghanistan looking for any movement that could mean danger to friendly troops as they provide coalition and International Security Assistance Force troops with intelligence, surveillance

  • Frequent deployments require emphasis on vaccinations

    Frequent, short-notice deployments worldwide demand the military step up its emphasis on keeping the force vaccinated for contingencies it may face, said the Defense Department’s deputy director for the Military Vaccine Agency.The expeditionary nature of the force requires that DOD officials plan

  • 'Friday Night Lights' actors thank wounded warriors

    The two lead actors of the television show "Friday Night Lights" visited wounded warriors, military family members and U.S. servicemembers with a message of appreciation Nov. 14 at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio.Kyle Chandler, known as Coach Eric Taylor on the show, and Connie Britton, starring as

  • Friday night Wright: CMSAF, Airmen bond through gaming

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright focused his discussions on how Airmen can work together to foster an environment of inclusiveness, resilience, increased morale and enhanced rapport between Airmen and the teams they work with.

  • Friendly fire hearing officer recommends against courts-martial

    The two Illinois Air National Guard F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots implicated in a deadly "friendly fire" incident last year should not face courts-martial, the investigating officer's report said.Majs. Harry Schmidt and William Umbach, of the 170th Fighter Squadron, face a variety of charges stemming

  • Friendly fire incidents will be investigated

    It is unfortunate when coalition forces and equipment are lost in combat, but it is particularly tragic when those losses come as a result of friendly fire, the combined forces air component commander of Operation Iraqi Freedom said April 5.Lt. Gen. T. Michael Moseley said during a Pentagon

  • Friendly fire investigation findings released

    U.S. Central Command officials released the findings March 29 of an investigation into a friendly fire incident between U.S. forces. The investigation examined the circumstances surrounding an incident involving an A-10 Thunderbolt II firing on a company of Marines in An Nasiriyah, Iraq, on March

  • Friendship knows no borders

    Four-year-old Sarah reached out to grasp her friend Fatou's hand as she has every day since Fatou first arrived at the Maxwell Air Force Base child development center in August 2013. On this day, Sarah led Fatou to the dance floor, placing her in a specific position like a delicate wall fixture.

  • Friendship means the world to adopted babushkas

    Olga finished school 70 years ago. After graduating, she became a teacher of Russian, German and finally mathematics for more than 30 years. She has so much to share about that time, but today, she has fewer and fewer people to hear her stories. Brothers and sisters, husbands and children have

  • Friendship stands strong when duty calls

    Two families here will share a life-changing event in August.Robin Lawley, McConnell Base Exchange barber shop manager, will receive a liver transplant in August.To her surprise, the donor is a longtime customer and friend, Charles Smith, 22nd Security Forces Squadron information and industrial

  • Frigid chapter closes for C-141

    Another chapter closed in the storied aviation history of the venerable C-141 Starlifter as a 452nd Air Mobility Wing-based crew from here flew aircraft number 152 from the South Pole for the last time.For 39 years, crews have flown C-141s loaded with people and equipment to Antarctica for the

  • Froehlichs receive O’Malley Award

    Col. Eric Froehlich, the former 377th Air Base Wing commander, and his wife, Stephanie, were awarded the Air Force 2017 General and Mrs. Jerome O’Malley Award June 15 at Kirtland Air Force Base.The O’Malley Award is given to the wing commander and spouse whose contributions to the nation, Air Force

  • From aerodromes to Reaper, RPAs push limits of technology

    The RPA actually got its start as early as 1896, when something called aerodromes at the time, were used to test the capabilities of new flying devices and to test if it was even possible for a heavier-than-air craft to achieve sustained flight. In May 1896, Dr. Samuel Langley proved that mechanical

  • From Army Air Corps to US Air Force, 70-plus years later

    In 1944, a year before the end of World War II, a 17-year-old Cambridge, Massachusetts, native and recent high school graduate was hired as a clerk-typist by the government to support the war effort -- only after her father signed a letter of permission. Now 71 years later, Maria Bandouveres, the

  • From Baghdad, on Veterans Day

    (Editor's Note: This story is part of "Through Airmen's Eyes." These stories and commentaries focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)On Veterans Day, when the nation formally recognizes the contributions of millions of past and present men and women in uniform, I want to pass

  • From biscuits to gravy

    Barry has retired from the 90th Space Wing Security Forces here after 11 years of battling crime. He was obedient, loyal, vigilant and protective.Barry was an ideal military working dog.The Air Force purchased Barry in 1991 for $3,500 from a Belgium breeder. He was one of only three Belgium

  • From cadets to colonels: Wingmen for life

    Filing into a barber shop in 1989, a group of college freshmen prepare for the Cadet Corps program at Texas A&M University, College Station by receiving the traditional rites during their transition from civilian to military: a buzz cut.Physical training, formations and university classrooms were

  • From Chinese citizen to American Airman

    After spending the first 20 years of his life in the capital of one of the largest cities in the Fujian province in China, U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Xing Zheng is now a 633rd Civil Engineering Squadron engineer technician

  • From cockpit to saddle, Columbus AFB Airman excels in both

    It wasn’t until 2013, while stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, that Maj. Andrea Matesick, now an F-15E weapons system officer and instructor with the 49th Fighter Training Squadron’s Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals at Columbus AFB, Mississippi, would reach out to the Air Force

  • From Colorado to South Korea, 3 generations serving on the peninsula

    Most Airmen arrive at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, with the expectation of seeing new faces and forming new relationships at the start of their yearlong unaccompanied tour. But for a father and son of the Colorado Air National Guard, when they stepped onto the Korean Peninsula, they continued a

  • From cop to chaplain, one role helps with the other

    While every job plays an important role in the Air Force, two are known well by every Airman: security forces and chaplains. Airmen recognize security forces members as the guardians of the gates for military installations. On the other hand, many Airmen know chaplains to be confidential sources

  • From cosmetics to test jets

    In the tumultuous times of 1930s America, Pensacola, Fla., native Jacqueline “Jackie” Cochran was a successful entrepreneur in the world of women’s cosmetics. But not many who saw her marketing powders and colored creams in those days would imagine that she would soon set records in the upstart

  • From Cuba to America and beyond through music

    Esteban-Nunez emigrated to the U.S. from the Republic of Cuba with his mother when he was 15. His life has taken him on a journey from that island nation to America, and most recently to Europe as a member of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band. Throughout this transition, a constant has remained --

  • From Cuban refugee to U.S. Airman

    The year - 1995. The setting - Communist Cuba. Times were tough and chances for prosperity were depleting.In a make-shift boat built by her grandfather, a four-year old Cuban refugee and a dozen or so of her family members began their journey to America in hopes of a better life."Shortly after

  • From England to France: Swimming the channel

    After approximately two years of training and regimented swimming schedules, two Airmen swam the English Channel from Dover, England, to the western coastline of France Sept. 27 and Oct. 3.

  • From enlisted marine to 100th ARW commander

    The son of immigrant parents from Thailand, Col. Troy Pananon, 100th Air Refueling Wing commander, didn’t have a long family military tradition to lean on, so he made his own instead.

  • From EOD Airman to Silver Star recipient

    Retired Master Sgt. Kristopher Parker, an explosive ordnance disposal technician, received the Silver Star medal March 17, 2017, at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas for his courageous actions while deployed to Afghanistan in May 2014.

  • From gang leader to service member: Airman overcomes odds to find success

    Many Airmen gain leadership skills by progressing through the ranks and taking on more responsibilities. Many times this includes special schooling such as airman leadership school or the non-commissioned officer academy. One Airman became a leader at a much earlier age, before he even joined the

  • From Haiti to the greatest Air Force in the world

    Every Airman has their own story, unique with diverse educational backgrounds, mixed upbringings and different heritages.For Master Sgt. Larwens Subtil, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron first sergeant at Kunsan Air Base, Korea, his Air Force story begins in Haiti

  • From Hawaii, C-17’s fly first contingency response mission

    Active-duty Airmen and Guardsmen from Hawaii are flying a C-17 contingency response mission to support relief efforts in the Philippines. The split crew of active-duty Airmen from the 535th Airlift Squadron and Guardsmen from the Hawaii Air National Guard’s 204th Airlift Squadron departed Hickam Air

  • From helicopters to bulldozers, McChord supports Operation Deep Freeze

    Continuing the Defense Department's longstanding support of the National Science Foundation, a Joint Base Lewis-McChord crew, made up of 62nd and 446th Airlift Wing members, safely completed another run to McMurdo Station, Antarctica, Oct 8, as part of their contribution to the U.S. Antarctic

  • From Holloman to Hollywood, Transformers make movie magic

    Lights, camera, action! Airmen at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., home to the Air Force's only operational F-117 wing, got to experience a new kind of rush as Hollywood invaded their base. The DreamWorks/Paramount Pictures live-action film "Transformers," set to release in July 2007, will feature

  • From nothing to something – Cargo City takes shape

    Construction is nearly complete on ‘Cargo City,’ a new operating location for U.S. and coalition forces to conduct aerial port operations in Kuwait. This aerial port will continue to serve as a major-military logistics point, and also functions as the largest aerial port of debarkation in the Middle

  • From NY streets to Afghan skies, FDNY crew saves lives

    Four New York City firefighters, four Airmen, four friends, one team, one HH-60 Pave Hawk -- one crew -- deployed together with the 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, bringing a unique flavor of New York Fire Departments with them.Capt. Shaun Cullen, Capt. Tripp

  • From partner to caregiver: Wife’s story of love, perseverance

    When a couple talks about how they first met, a phrase commonly heard is, “Well, they just fell into my life.” For one couple, the expression could be taken quite literally. When Jeremiah Means first met Ashley, she was tripping in front of him as she tried to rush through a doorway. He called

  • From playing fields to battlefields

    Sports and the military share a common bond journalistically. It’s not unusual to read about a classic battle, how a player had plenty of fight left, how a team showed a warrior mentality or how they were outnumbered.Sports have liberally borrowed clichés from the GI world for years. Now it’s the

  • From refugee camp to the Air Force

    Senior Airman Yia Thao, a 19th Airlift Wing Judge Advocate paralegal, was raised to know that hard work reaps great rewards. The work ethic and dedication that builds a better future runs deep in his family and continues through Thao and his siblings today.

  • From refugee to Airman

    In the country of Liberia, Africa, a good day and bad day are extreme opposites–a difference of children playing in the street and going to war. For locals like Christiana Katta, war zone experience came at an early age. She was just 2 years old when she and her family picked up all their belongings

  • From start to finish: Air Force Reserve MTI's lead BMT total force flights

    Ten Air Force Reserve 433rd Training Squadron military training instructors guided four total force basic military training flights through eight and a half weeks of training and education in preparation for their Dec. 14 BMT graduation at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. It was the first

  • From sunrise past sunset: a day with CMSAF Bass

    Bass visited the world’s premier fighter wing at Luke Air Force Base, Dec. 1. The 56th Fighter Wing is dedicated to training the world’s greatest fighter pilots and combat ready Airmen. 

  • From Tennessee to S. Korea - a woodworker's selfless act of love

    When Ed Wares heard about Airmen from the Air Force Technical Applications Center who were sponsoring an orphanage in South Korea, he knew he had to reach out and offer his support.That support, however, didn't come in the way of clothes, food, or even money. Instead, his donation came from his

  • From the Academy gridiron to the courtroom

    Capt. Tyler Weeks, a 460th Space Wing Staff Judge Advocate intern, played football for the U.S. Air Force Academy during his four years there and recently spent time at Buckley Air Force Base’s judge advocate office on his way to becoming a judge advocate general.

  • From the frying pan into the gas tank

    What smells like barbecue and can go 80 miles per hour? Master Sgt. Brian Hosken’s ride to work. Sergeant Hosken, the 45th Space Communications Squadron base land mobile radio manager, uses used vegetable oil to fuel his 1985 turbo-diesel Mercedes Benz car. He’s been doing that for nearly three

  • From the ground up

    Some people dream of becoming a fighter pilot, while others dream of becoming a military special operator.Very few people make both dreams come true.Second Lt. Andrew Dane, a 47th Flying Training Wing pilot graduate and former Tactical Air Control Party special operator, will be able to see both

  • From the Ground Up: Climbing to the Top of the World

    Six continents. Seven years. More than 100,000 feet climbed and next month, the USAF 7 Summits Challenge team is setting out to climb to the top of the world. At 29,035 ft., Mount Everest is the highest peak on Earth. If successful, six Airmen will become the first American military team to reach

  • From tragedy comes triumph: Wounded warrior shares his story

    The first bullet struck him in the hip. But it was the second shot, the one that hit Staff Sgt. Kristoffer Schneider in the forehead, which forever changed his life nearly two years ago.Schneider and his wife, Amanda, shared his story of surviving the 2011 terror attack at Frankfurt International

  • From trash to treasure: Converting Academy waste into renewable energy

    During August 2013, the Defense Department Environmental Security Technology Certification Program funded CDM Smith, a national engineering and construction firm, to test how the U.S. Air Force Academy can reduce energy use and cost at its wastewater treatment plant, and convert food waste from its

  • From Vietnam to OEF: Pilot flies last mission of career

    Lt. Col. James Routt, a pilot deployed with the 71st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, flew the last combat air mission of his 33-year military career over the skies of Afghanistan, April 12.During his career, Routt has witnessed several operations -- from Vietnam to Operation Enduring Freedom in

  • From World War II to Afghanistan: USO marks 75th anniversary

    The USO marked its 75th anniversary Feb. 4 at a gala in Washington, D.C. Medal of Honor recipients, USO volunteers, active-duty personnel, veterans, members of Congress, and stars of stage, screen and music gathered to mark a milestone for an organization founded as the United States geared up for

  • Front desk work keeps Airman busy on Air Force birthday

    Senior Airman Abbragail Barnett's front desk duties will most likely keep her from enjoying cake, ice cream and punch on the Air Force's 59th birthday. That's nothing new for most Airmen around the world, who will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism. This war -- like all

  • Front Range bases assist with displacement vouchers

    Airmen from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Schriever and Peterson Air Force bases and employees from Fort Carson set up a processing line at the Academy's community center July 9-10 to help file vouchers for Academy housing and enlisted dormitory residents who were displaced during the Waldo Canyon

  • Front-line forecasting not average day on the job

    Slashing through Burmese jungles with Maj. Gen. Orde Wingate’s Chindits; hunkering down far above the DMZ in North Vietnam; infiltrating into Northern Iraq to ensure the success of a thousand-man airborne jump -- not the average day at the office for most weather forecasters. But those missions and

  • Fry Scholarship established for children of fallen servicemembers

    Children of military personnel who died in the line of duty since Sept. 11, 2001, can apply for an educational scholarship similar to the new Post-9/11 GI Bill.  Benefits are retroactive to Aug. 1, 2009.The scholarship, which is administered by Department of Veterans Affairs representatives, is

  • FSS gift cards make holiday gift giving easy

    'Tis the season, and Air Force Services Agency officials here said Force Support Squadron gift cards are a convenient and easy way to get into the spirit of giving. Installations worldwide provide FSS gift cards available for use at most FSS nonappropriated fund activities. Officials said the cards

  • FTF initiatives make progress

    The Air Force director of plans and programs provided an update of the six Future Total Force initiatives being tested in the United States during a roundtable discussion July 7.Part of the FTF plan is to increase the number of bases where active-duty Airmen are assigned to Guard and Reserve units

  • FTF set to leave lasting impression in Pacific theater

    The Air Force broke ground last August for the first Pacific Air Forces C-17 Globemaster III squadron based outside the continental United States. One year later, using the Future Total Force initiative with an eye toward the future, Hickam Air Force Base is building a strong foundation for a new

  • FTI continues to transform food delivery for Airmen

    The Air Force Food Transformation Initiative began at six pilot locations a little over a year ago, and the ground-breaking initiative continues to make progress in redefining how food is delivered to today's Airmen. In its first year, Airmen at the FTI pilot locations experienced revamped menu