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  • Laughlin Airmen get fit during 'adventures'

    “Are you fit to fight?” That is the question Air Force officials are asking Airmen these days, and it is the catch phrase for the new fitness focus.One squadron here upped the ante among its Airmen recently asking, “Are you fit to race?”More than 100 Airmen from the 86th Flying Training Squadron

  • NFL player scores big points at Incirlik

    As a Pittsburgh Steeler wide receiver, Hines Ward is accustomed to whipping past the opposition and scoring touchdowns on the football field. But during a visit here June 17, Mr. Ward scored big points -- not with his team, but with base people.Fans turned out in droves to meet Mr. Ward, who spent

  • Utility uniform feedback survey, PT gear coming

    The Air Force’s first physical training uniform will hit the street later this year, and a Web site for Airmen to provide feedback on the proposed utility uniform will be online July 1.Feedback on the proposed utility uniform has been excellent so far, but an Internet survey will give all Airmen a

  • Reserve volunteers needed for force-protection duties

    Reserve component enlisted Airmen in any career field are eligible for a unique program allowing them to help protect Air Force bases nationwide. The air reserve component force protection volunteer program gives individual mobilization augmentee, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard members

  • Air Force family fights fire with generosity

    A first-term Airman from the 3rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron here, her husband, and their two small children were left homeless when an unexplained fire destroyed everything in their base housing unit recently.Out of the ashes of this tragedy, however, rose an unexpected phoenix. The Vazquez's

  • Airman charged with murder

    A staff sergeant at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., is being held in the nearby Montgomery County Jail after being charged with murder. Staff Sgt. Russell Booth, of the 42nd Security Forces Squadron, allegedly shot and killed his wife, Wyndelyn Scogin Booth, during a domestic dispute in their home

  • Bush speaks from MacDill

    With the transfer of sovereignty two weeks away, the future of a free Iraq is coming into view, President Bush told a worldwide military audience and servicemembers assembled at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., on June 16.U.S. Central Command and U.S. Special Operations Command have their headquarters

  • New focus puts future training over the 'edge'

    Department of Defense servicemembers participating in Northern Edge '04 have a new focus this year, joint warfighter training, as well as a different focus in 2005, homeland defense.Pacific Command and Northern Command officials have agreed to share Alaska Command's premier joint exercise.In

  • Academy graduate named to academic all-American team

    A 2004 academy graduate was named to the Academic All-American At-Large Team by the College Sports Information Directors of America on June 15. Second Lt. Mike Polidor is the third hockey player from here to earn the honor in the past five years.Lieutenant Polidor, a goaltender from Imperial,

  • Officials release F-16 accident report

    Pilot error caused two F-16 Fighting Falcons to collide March 9, during a training mission over the Atlantic Ocean about 35 miles southeast of Myrtle Beach, S.C., according to a report Air Force officials released June 15.Both aircraft landed safely at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., and the pilots were

  • 8th annual Air Force Marathon set for Sept. 18

    Air Force officials will hold the 8th annual Air Force Marathon here Sept. 18. The marathon will include a half-marathon, wheelchair race, four-person relay and 5K race.The deadline for early registration is July 1, and all entries must be in by Sept. 7. The race is open to the public.Besides

  • Morón keeps aircraft moving, projects expeditionary air power

    About halfway between the United States and the Middle East, the runway here was recently labeled by Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche as “the irreplaceable gateway” for aircraft, cargo and troops headed for central and Southwest Asia . U.S. Air Forces in Europe leaders visited here

  • Academy aircraft resume flight

    Officials here have directed academy aircraft back into service starting June 15. Flight operations here were suspended April 2 following a safety review. Since that time, numerous actions have been taken to resolve all concerns expressed by academy leaders. Major actions taken include a detailed

  • Weapons accident leaves one injured

    A weapons accident here June 10 caused one injury. Staff Sgt. Brent Russell, a 917th Maintenance Squadron aircraft armament systems mechanic, was injured when a Gatling gun inadvertently discharged a 30 mm training round during repairs. The round penetrated a steel door causing shrapnel to strike

  • Secretary, three others receive NAACP awards

    The Air Force secretary and three other Airmen received NAACP awards for outstanding and noteworthy efforts in implementing policies and programs which promote equal opportunity in the military.Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche garnered the National Association for the Advancement of

  • Flag has been powerful symbol, rallying point

    It was not all that long ago that everyone seemed to be flying an American flag.In the days and weeks after the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, American flags sprouted from everywhere.At the World Trade Center site, New York firemen hoisted an American flag amid the rubble. At the

  • Convoy course prepares Airmen for duty in Iraq

    Air Education and Training Command leaders saw the need for the Basic Combat Convoy Course for Airmen during a visit to Iraq in March, and 37th Training Wing experts here assembled the course in record time.The first platoon of Airmen began the course June 7, training to relieve transportation

  • Gas pump in the sky

    When an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot runs low on fuel, he has two choices: Radio in to the closest air base control tower for landing and refueling permission, or stay airborne and fill up from a gas station in the sky -- the KC-135 Stratotanker. You can imagine which gets him back into the fight

  • Air Force journalists win DOD awards

    Air Force print and broadcast journalists won nine categories in the 2003 Thomas Jefferson Awards for excellence in military media. The results were announced by Defense Information School officials here.The awards recognize military and civilian employee print and broadcast journalists for

  • Airmen play ‘bad guys’ in Alaska

    Almost every military exercise needs "bad guys," and Airmen from the 390th Fighter Squadron are playing that role for Alaska Command's premiere joint training event, Northern Edge '04.More than 160 Department of Defense aircraft are involved in the exercise, including F-15 Eagles from the 390th FS

  • Major proves age, injury no obstacles to fitness

    Maj. Jeanne Frazier could not run, and she was dreading the mandatory physical training and fitness tests.Three months later, the 50-year-old major assigned to the 552nd Operations Support Squadron here was not only running, but she finished the required run in 16 minutes and 46 seconds. All

  • Airman, Scouts save lives

    Local Boy Scouts embarked on a whitewater canoe and kayak trip recently on nearby Chattooga River. Little did they know their recreational adventure was about to turn into a lifesaving rescue.At the end of their five-and-a-half-hour river ride, the Scouts were in the process of docking and packing

  • Airman carries his American flag everywhere

    When some people say they carry the American flag close to their heart, it is usually just a figure of speech.However, when one 455th Expeditionary Operations Group Airmen here said that, he meant it -- and he has the flag to prove it.“My grandfather gave me a 3-foot by 5-foot flag when I was 12,”

  • Court lifts stay on ‘friendly fire’ trial

    The Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces in Washington, D.C., lifted the stay June 7 in the case of United States vs. Harry Schmidt. Major Schmidt was involved in an April 17, 2002, aircraft bombing incident that killed four Canadian soldiers and injured eight others near Kandahar, Afghanistan.The

  • Airmen honor fallen commander in chief

    Airmen nationwide will pay tribute this week to former President Ronald Reagan who died at his home June 5 from pneumonia as a complication of Alzheimers. President Reagan, who was 93, served as the 40th commander in chief from 1981 to 1989.Air Force participation in the state funeral includes

  • If you break it, they will come

    Outside, there is a simple, painted sign: “If you break it, we can make it.” Inside, there is an array of equipment, somewhat reminiscent of a high-school machine shop.On either side, the fabrication branch Airmen here have a vital mission: To fix or make the parts and tools needed to keep the

  • Total-force effort supplies OEF

    Every day, between 50 and 100 tons of equipment and supplies arrive here, flown in around the clock by a constant stream of cargo aircraft.Since this is a combat environment, getting the aircraft down, unloaded and quickly off the ground again is extremely important. Keeping that logistical

  • Combat exercise showcasing proposed uniform

    As the Air Force continues its wear test of the proposed new utility uniform, its sister services are getting a chance to get an up close and personal look at the uniform during exercise Northern Edge '04."There are a total of 90 Airmen on base participating in the wear test of the new blue, green

  • Air National Guard experiencing transformation process

    The Air National Guard has developed its own way of transforming its forces to meet “The Way Ahead” initiatives of Army Lt. Gen. Steven Blum, chief of the National Guard Bureau, and to remain relevant to the active Air Force.Air National Guard officials call it “Vanguard,” the long-range

  • Flexibility helps 497th CTS Airmen succeed in Singapore

    Col. John Rogers Jr. credits being able to “think outside the box” to the success of his Airmen who successfully perform their daily mission here. Colonel Rogers is commander of the 497th Combat Training Squadron, a 36-person group comprising the basic functional elements of a small-scale fighter

  • Jumper shares view on AEF cycle length extension

    The Air Force chief of staff announced the extension of the baseline for deployments from 90 to 120 days and the change of the air and space expeditionary force cycle from 15 months to 20 months. The changes will take place beginning with AEF Cycle 5 in September, said Gen. John P. Jumper in his

  • People remember World War II nurses

    Many Americans commemorated the 60th anniversary of D-Day on June 6, watching and remembering those World War II veterans who stormed the beaches of Normandy. Often forgotten are the flight nurses who served behind the scenes ensuring the men who fought that day lived to talk about it.Flight nurses

  • Now showing: June 7 edition of AFTV News

    The continued increase in an Air Force presence in the Pacific region spotlights the latest edition of Air Force Television News. Tech. Sgt. Rusty Barfield reports on the planned addition of a C-17 Globemaster III unit at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, that will complement a buildup of air and

  • Veterans reflect upon D-Day, turning tide of war

    They are known as “the greatest generation.” On D-Day, they proved it. Before dawn June 6, 1944, Airmen of the 398th Bombardment Group awoke to a day that would turn the tide of the war in Europe and end with 3,000 Americans dead. Like most in the Army Air Forces, 1st Lt. Ike Alhadeff trained for

  • Officials release E-4 engine accident report

    Two separate mechanical failures led to $3.8 million in engine damage to an E-4B National Airborne Operations Center aircraft here Feb. 3, according to a report Air Force officials released June 7.During the mission, the crew saw indications of extremely high gas temperature, excessive fuel flow and

  • Vehicle maintainers keep operations rolling

    The flightline here is a hive of activity as vehicles swarm about accomplishing various tasks: a jammer carries bombs here, a loader removes cargo from a C-17 Globemaster III over there.Should one of those vehicles break, it could have catastrophic consequences for the mission, so ensuring that does

  • Air Force names battlelab award winners

    Air Force officials recently announced the winners of the 2003 Air Force Battlelab Project Officer and Enlisted Project Officer of the Year awards. Winners are: -- First Lt. Brian Herman from the Information Warfare Battlelab at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. -- Tech. Sgt. Ronald Newpher from

  • A-10 pods help track bad guys, protect friendly forces

    When lightning strikes, it affects the surrounding area. The same could be said of an A-10 Thunderbolt II strike, especially when complemented by the advanced capabilities provided by the Litening precision targeting pod system.The navigation pod provides A-10 pilots with more than improved attack

  • ANG crew rescues climber from Nabesna Glacier

    When you are a pararescuemen with the Alaska Air National Guard’s 210th Rescue Squadron, a day at the office does not take on its usual meaning, and June 2 was no exception.The Rescue Coordination Center here was notified early that morning that a young woman with the National Outdoor Leadership

  • Maintainers reap Commando Sling training benefits

    Commando Sling 04-3 has been an “awesome training environment” for the Airmen of the 36th Maintenance Squadron at Osan Air Base, South Korea, said Master Sgt. John Haulman, production superintendent.The 56-person team is here to support F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots from the 36th Fighter Squadron at

  • Keesler civilian makes music at home

    For most people, making music means strumming a guitar, playing a keyboard, drumming a beat or singing a song.When Fred McMichael makes music, he often makes the instrument himself. After creating more than 50 violins and 20 guitars in the past 30 years, he tackled his biggest challenge yet: a

  • Air Force announces business awards

    Winners of the 2003 Secretary of the Air Force Small and Disadvantaged Business Awards were recognized by Peter B. Teets, undersecretary of the Air Force, in a ceremony June 1.“As President (George W.) Bush said recently, small businesses and the entrepreneur spirit are ‘really what America has

  • Airmen, Soldiers team up to move payload

    Airmen and Soldiers here are joining forces to get passengers and cargo in and out of Baghdad International Airport rapidly.Airmen from the 447th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron’s aerial port flight and Soldiers from the 368th Cargo Transfer Company’s 4th Platoon and from the 386th

  • Moody Airmen rescue stranded boater

    Airmen here were credited with saving a civilian’s life recently when they rescued a boater from his stranded vessel in the Atlantic Ocean.Airmen of the 41st, 71st and 38th Rescue Squadrons, along with the 347th Maintenance Group, flew the rescue mission after a request from Coast Guard Rescue

  • Boom operator’s biggest stage is in air

    When he graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a bachelor's degree in acting, Eric Ryan's plans were not immediately focused on the Air Force.It was not until the events of Sept. 11 that Senior Airman Ryan, a boom operator with the 906th Air Refueling Squadron here, said he first looked

  • Airmen pay respect during repatriation ceremony

    The sun peeked through the clouds as the four flights of servicemembers, a colorful array of Navy whites, Air Force blues, battle-dress uniforms and flight suits, were called to attention.A lone Soldier stood guard in the aft of the C-141 Starlifter, dubbed the Hanoi Taxi, with its doors swung open

  • Airmen receive SECAF leadership awards

    Four Airmen were recognized for outstanding leadership while attending Air University schools during an awards ceremony here May 25.The Secretary of the Air Force Leadership Award recognizes those who demonstrated the greatest leadership while students at Air University schools.Recipients were:--

  • Airman found guilty of rape

    An Airman from the 27th Security Forces Squadron was found guilty of two charges of rape, one of carnal knowledge and one of indecent assault in a general court-martial held here recently.A military judge sentenced Airman 1st Class Joshua Loyd to 18 years confinement, a dishonorable discharge,

  • Weapons, tactics course improves skills

    About 30 security forces Airmen from around Air Education and Training Command were here recently to improve their skills.Some of the skills the students learned at the AETC Combat Weapons and Tactics Course included tactical pistol skills, long-gun skills, low-light movements and missions, physical

  • Airmen train together during Commando Sling

    Airmen from the 36th Fighter Squadron at Osan Air Base, South Korea, are here to train with Singaporean Airmen during exercise Commando Sling 04-3. The exercise runs until June 14 and provides a U.S. presence in Southeast Asia and realistic dissimilar aircraft air-to-air combat training for forces

  • June issue of Citizen Airman available

    The June issue of Citizen Airman, the official magazine of the Air Force Reserve, is now available in print and online at www.afrc.af.mil/HQ/citamn/. Extra Hands -- When a group of people is carrying a load and the weight increases, a few extra hands can help relieve some of the burden of the

  • World War II veteran receives Purple Heart

    Fifty-nine years after his plane crashed near Rheims, France, an Air Force staff sergeant received his Purple Heart during a ceremony May 28 at the World War II Memorial here.John Martinez was a staff sergeant serving with the 9th Air Force as an aerial gunner in an A-20 attack bomber April 11,

  • Americans asked to remember heroes

    White House officials are asking Americans worldwide to pause for 60 seconds at 3 p.m. local time May 31 -- Memorial Day -- to honor America's fallen heroes and to recognize veterans and today's servicemembers, particularly those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.This does not mean coming to a

  • American, Korean engineers ‘cement’ friendship

    Two old friends got together on the flightline here recently, and the result is an expanded strategic airlift ramp that will significantly enhance current operations. It will also serve as a key enabler for a major airfield military construction, refurbishment and replacement project that will

  • Future total-force concept aims to increase combat capability

    Active-duty Airmen, guardsmen and reservists working together to support the Air Force mission in a war zone such as Iraq or Afghanistan is not unusual. However, in a concept being studied at the Air Warfare Center, Airmen from all components will work together supporting the Air Force's RQ/MQ-1

  • Guard officials stress physical fitness

    Qatar is not as hot in November and December as it is in July and August; but the 80- to 90-degree days and the 40-degree nights in that small desert land between Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf can raise havoc with people who are not physically fit.That is a lesson some Airmen of the New York Air

  • Air Force names communications, information award winners

    The following Airmen, teams and units are winners of the 2003 Air Force Communications and Information awards for 2003.Air Force communications and information individual award winners are:-- Outstanding Field Grade Officer: Maj. Kimberly Ullman from the Pentagon in Washington.-- Outstanding

  • F-16 technology links allied nations' aircraft

    Warriors in future conflicts will see United States and coalition nations sharing more of the battlefield load thanks to U.S. and allied countries' F-16 Fighting Falcons getting an upgraded software program.The U.S. version of the software underwent large-force operational testing during a recent

  • Osan officer convicted of unprofessional relationships

    An officer accused of being improperly involved with two enlisted women and misusing government e-mail for the relationships was convicted May 21.Lt. Col. Anthony Williams of the 51st Maintenance Group was convicted on two counts of conduct unbecoming an officer for having an unprofessional

  • Officials approve wear of expeditionary medal

    Air Force officials have authorized wear of the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal which was approved by President Bush in 2003.The Department of Defense campaign medal applies to active-duty, Reserve and Guard servicemembers deployed abroad on or after Sept.11, 2001, for operations

  • Pro baseball player spends day as Airman

    Major League Baseball pitcher Al Leiter swapped his New York Mets uniform May 24 for an Air Force flight suit to become a boom operator here for a day.While here, the left-hander who has played in three World Series and has 146 career wins, learned the ropes of refueling from Senior Airman Chardo

  • Risk management, clear thinking key to safe summer

    Losing 66 Air Force people to private motor vehicle and seven to nontraffic-related accidents in 2003 prompted officials to carry out the most aggressive 101 Critical Days of Summer safety campaign in recent history.Air Force commanders are sending the word out to their people: Be safe!In a letter

  • New system saves money, manpower

    Air Force Materiel Command experts are replacing decades-old instrument landing systems at six locations with state-of-the-art equipment.The new systems will save money and manpower and allow quicker maintenance. They work off circuit cards and computers rather than tubes and older hardware

  • Yokota C-130 helps rescue six lost at sea

    A C-130 Hercules aircrew from the 36th Airlift Squadron here helped a search-and-rescue mission May 21 when they spotted a missing 20-foot Micronesian sailing vessel about 120 miles off of the coast of Guam. Six people, including a 10-year-old boy, were brought to safety after being lost at sea for

  • Price is right for Nellis Airman

    Watching the “Price is Right” game show faithfully for years, an Airman here was invited to “Come on Down,” for his chance to bid in contestants row.“It has been my dream to be on a game show,” said Senior Airman Roger Thomas, an information manager with Air Combat Command Training Support

  • Pilots train on gunnery marksmanship

    Firing on a banner pulled behind a slow-flying aircraft, F-15 Eagle pilots worked on their gunnery marksmanship near here May 17 to 21.The training simulates air-to-air combat by using a Learjet 35 to drag a 68-pound banner 1,500 feet behind the aircraft. Pilots shoot at the banner as it is pulled

  • Officials announce annual medical-service awards

    Air Force Medical Service officials announced the winners of the annual medical-service awards for 2003.Lt. Gen. (Dr.) George Peach Taylor Jr., Air Force surgeon general, thanked the winners for their voluntary commitment to America and devotion to their profession. "As Americans, and especially as

  • Guardsmen bring hospitals to field

    The Air National Guard’s air surgeon and director of medical services explained what expeditionary medical support systems mean for the Air National Guard during a recent conference here.“They move us from an ambulatory-care mission to a critical-care mission,” Col. Randy Falk said during the Air

  • Airman carries on female family tradition

    Throughout history, men in the same families have served side by side and generation after generation.Grandfathers, fathers and sons fought together in the Revolutionary War. Brothers clashed with brothers during the Civil War. It was not unusual to find brothers, uncles and in-laws serving

  • Airmen help rural Thai preschool

    More than 12 Airmen from Kadena Air Base, Japan, helped a preschool near here May 19, offering supplies, building materials and a playground renovation.Airmen from the 353rd Special Operations Group arrived at the rural school, located 30 miles south of here, at about 10 a.m. They began

  • Joint weather team aids Cobra Gold aircrews

    Multinational, multiservice weather forecasters here put their skills together in predicting curveballs Mother Nature may throw at Cobra Gold 04 participants.Airmen from the 353rd Special Operations Group at Kadena Air Base, Japan, joined forces with U.S. Marine and Thai weather forecasters

  • Airmen destroy grenade launchers

    More than 600 rocket-propelled grenade launchers collected by coalition forces throughout southern Iraq, were recently destroyed by Airmen of the 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron here. Normally destroyed using explosives, this amount of weapons required too much. “In order to destroy

  • Firefighters, community preserve Air Force history

    People of the 49th Civil Engineer Squadron fire and emergency services department here recently finished restoring a 1958 O-6 Cardox fire crash truck. They presented it to the military firefighter’s heritage museum at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, during a dedication ceremony May 18.Mark

  • Airmen make drops in Thailand

    “Kanto 95, winds are light, you’re cleared to drop.” As the C-130 Hercules from the 36th Airlift Squadron at Yokota Air Base, Japan, rumbled overhead at 600 feet, the cargo was released and floated under a full canopy into a dormant rice paddy.Five people from the 353rd Operations Support Squadron’s

  • Airman makes children smile in Cambodia

    Children here have already figured out that if they stop by the hospital here in the afternoon, they are almost sure to be in for some type of treat. The first day it was coloring books. Then it was lollipops and high-fives. May 23 it was clothes. But while the handouts have been random, there is

  • NCO loses leg, doesn’t miss a step

    He wishes he could be out on the flightline supporting the maintainers who work on F-117A Nighthawks, like he did before he lost his leg.With his right leg amputated below the knee and using a prosthetic, his stump is still not strong enough to allow him much time there.“I’m proud of my

  • Now showing: May 24 edition of AFTV News

    The affect of extended activations on Air Force reservists, Air National Guardsmen, their families and employers, spotlights the latest edition of Air Force Television News.Tech. Sgt. Bill Scherer travels to Pennsylvania to profile Jillian Mentkewicz, a senior airman in the Air Force Reserve who is

  • Tyndall aircraft crashes

    An F-15 Eagle crashed into the Gulf of Mexico at about noon May 21.The plane, assigned to the 325th Fighter Wing here, was on a training mission. Lt. Col. Patrick Marshall, 1st Fighter Squadron commander, piloted the aircraft and is reported in good condition.A board of officers will investigate the

  • Man becomes Airman, dreams of flying

    His destiny hit him in a flash, as an 8-year-old child watching television in his family’s home.“I just got a push,” said Senior Airman Kamarudini Raimi, a 509th Munitions Squadron supply liaison. “It came while I was watching TV. I saw pilots with their headsets and suits and I thought it was

  • Last Randolph T-38A simulator shut down

    After 26 years of training thousands of pilots, the last full-motion T-38A Talon simulators here was retired. The once state-of-the-art equipment is being replaced by virtual reality trainers designed to reproduce the cockpit of the new T-38C aircraft. Ron Hamada, now a training manager at the Air

  • Medics treat more than 620 in Cambodia

    U.S. military medics have treated more than 620 patients and have scheduled 100 surgeries in a small hospital complex in Cambodia since May 17. “Ten hours after the mission started, the surgery schedule was fully booked with 100 cases,” said Lt. Col. Diep Duong, team leader for a 20-member blast

  • Airmen, Iraqis dig up ancient site

    An ages-old mystery is being unearthed here thanks to some amateur archeologists serving with the 506th Air Expeditionary Group.Iraqi archeologists have determined the air base has at least one site with artifacts dating back to between 1200 B.C. and 2600 B.C., possibly predating the ancient

  • Luke F-16 crashes

    A Singapore pilot assigned to the 56th Fighter Wing here was killed when his F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed May 19. Singapore air force Lieutenant Brandon Loo was on a night training mission in the Sells Military Operating Area south of the Barry M. Goldwater Range when the crash occurred.The

  • Three Airmen participate in dog-sled expedition

    It is one thing to appreciate the hardened life of the Inuit; it is another to actually live it. Three tenderfoot Airmen, 1st Lt. Lance Brenneke, Tech. Sgt. Dan Rea and Staff Sgt. Chris Knabe, got a taste of arctic frontier life while on a six-day dog-sledding expedition from Qaanaaq to Siorapaluk

  • Airmen help bring Iraqi infant to America

    Medical teams from the 791st Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron here assisted with the medical evacuation of a critically ill 8-month-old Iraqi girl May 18 and 19.Fatemah Kalil Hassan was transferred to the Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, to undergo specialized treatment for an

  • Medics distribute mosquito nets in Cambodia

    Tech. Sgt. Bryan Gray spent the morning of May 20 handing out 300 mosquito nets to three Cham-Muslim villages near here, something he said is extremely rewarding.“To help poor people by giving them something that will help them from getting sick is rewarding. Especially since there is no medical

  • AF family gives two Chernobyl children health, hope

    On April 26, 1986, the world’s worst nuclear power accident occurred at Chernobyl in the former Soviet Union, now the Ukraine.Plant workers noticed something drastically wrong with a reactor and began an emergency shutdown -- a procedure that only takes 20 seconds. Unfortunately, that was 13

  • Guard Airman participates in Lewis and Clark bicentennial

    When Lewis and Clark began their expedition 200 years ago, the National Guard, as colonial militias, was already 167 years old.To help with the bicentennial celebrations, the Montana Air National Guard’s Tech. Sgt. Al Garver will portray an early 19th century Soldier for the National Guard

  • Two Airmen among recipients of GEICO award

    Two Airmen were among the recipients of the annual Government Employees Insurance Company Military Service Awards. The Airmen were chosen for the award because of their work with drug- and alcohol-abuse prevention programs, officials said. Air Force award recipients for 2003 are: -- Senior Master

  • Civilian guards tapped to control base gates

    People entering the gates at 11 Air Force bases are being greeted by some new faces. About 400 contracted civilian guards began providing entry controller services at selected active-duty bases May 18. The bases gaining civilian guards are Andrews Air Force Base, Md.; Bolling AFB, D.C.; Hill AFB,

  • Geocaching: ‘X’ marks the spot

    Pirates sailed the high seas looting ships and left the bounty for future treasure hunters: Indiana Jones, Lara Croft and geocachers. What do all these have in common? Well, if “X” marks the spot, then buried treasure is the answer. Techno junkies have reinvented the wheel with geocaching,

  • Officials return Vietnam War remains to family

    The remains of an Airman missing in action from the Vietnam War were returned to his family May 18 for burial. They have been identified as Col. Lester Holmes, from Plainfield, Iowa, who was missing since May 22, 1967.Senior Master Sgt. Roger Holmes, a first sergeant with the 36th Aerial Port

  • Sergeant wins Vanguard Award for heroism

    Staff Sgt. Joshua A. Swartz is the Air Force's 2004 recipient of the annual Vanguard Award for heroic action.Sergeant Swartz is a pararescueman assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron at Pope Air Force Base, N.C.The award, sponsored by the Non Commissioned Officers Association, recognizes a

  • Airmen complete Marine Corps martial arts training

    Staff Sgt. Eric Earp does not necessarily consider himself athletic, but that did not keep him from completing a “grueling” weeklong Marine Corps martial arts training program. “I wanted to see if I could complete a Marine Corps program,” said Sergeant Earp of the 735th Expeditionary Communications

  • Yokota mail detachment is largest, busiest

    Detachment 2 of the Air Postal Squadron here operates the Air Force’s largest and busiest central mail processing activity. Its 48-person team of Airmen and local Japanese workers oversee the movement, sorting and distribution of more than 50 million pounds of mail annually.Det. 2 also has remote

  • Pilot killed in F-16 collision

    One pilot was killed and another injured when two F-16 Fighting Falcons collided during a training mission over the Indiana and Illinois border May 17.The pilots and aircraft were assigned to the Indiana Air National Guard’s 181st Fighter Wing at Terre Haute.Maj. William E. Burchett, from Arlington,

  • Nellis holds firepower demo

    More than 2,500 people witnessed the first Air Force firepower demonstration since February 2003 at the Nevada Test and Training Range near here May 12.The demonstration showcased the Air Force’s air and space capabilities. After being put on hold, the original quarterly demonstration will now be

  • Medics help with war stress

    Their stories and experiences are harrowing: improvised explosive devices and small-arms fire attacks, comrades killed and injured in action and near-death experiences. It is the unfortunate reality of a combat environment that many U.S. servicemembers are confronted with daily throughout Iraq.

  • Center ensures blood ships safely

    No matter who you are, they have your type.“They” are the six-person staff at the blood transshipment center here. The team, part of the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group, is the first rotation here since the one-of-a-kind center was relocated in March. The Airmen ship blood supplies everywhere in

  • Airman dies in Iraq

    An Airman deployed to Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq, died May 15 as a result of nonhostile injuries while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, Department of Defense officials announced May 17.Senior Airman Pedro I. Espaillat Jr., 20, of Colombia, Tenn., was a weapons loader assigned to the 4th Aircraft