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 flightline to frontline: 386 ELRS manages process for moving munitions

Aerial porters can often appear to be flightline fortune tellers. They can gauge the intensity of ongoing war efforts through the amount and types of items that come across their cargo yard, everything from vehicles to missiles. As the battle against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant

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 high-risk youth to national award winner – One Airman’s inspirational journey

This extraordinary Airman, who graduated from Penn State, loves the work he does for the Air Force and his country, but things did not always come easy to him. A Buffalo, New York, native, U.S. Air Force Maj. Michael Butler has many accomplishments, including five Air Force-level awards, and soon he

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 one 'Stan to another

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 sand to sky

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 base to the fight, every Airman can protect the power

October is Energy Action Month across the federal government, and for the Air Force, it represents an opportunity to remind Airmen of the role energy plays in fulfilling the Air Force’s mission.

From the courtroom to the classroom

Lt. Col. Trinh Warner, an Air Force judge advocate for 17 years, was getting close to retirement and in search of a meaningful job.

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

FTX trains Airmen for deployed environment

While at Quantico, the 633rd SFS members, known as defenders, sharpened their skills while conducting day and night reconnaissance operations, establishing a forward operating base, and clearing villages to acquire a specific target.

Fuel cells could save Air Force thousands

Ten new five-kilowatt fuel cells in operation here could save the Air Force thousands of dollars in energy costs. The fuel cells, located at the base ground water treatment plant, have been operating since early October. Base officials unveiled the new alternative fuel source Dec 1. The cells, which

'Fuel Doctor' on duty

Fuel efficiency among top priorities in AMC's energy conservation

Imagine your frustration when the price of gas goes up 50 cents and it adds $12.50 to the cost of filling up your 25-gallon tank. Now imagine adding $25,575 to the cost of filling the tank of a C-5 Galaxy that holds 51,150 gallons. The Air Force is the Department of Defense's largest consumer of

Fuel for fighters

Fuel for the Pacific

A boom from a KC-135 Stratotanker is visible as it flies Dec. 15 over Wake Island. The KC-135 is from the 74th Air Refueling Squadron, part of the 434th Air Refueling Wing from Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind. Wake Island was devastated by 185 mile per hour winds and a storm surge caused by Super

Fuel gauge

Fuel oil for the kids

Servicemembers at Film City in Kosovo raised more than $1,200 to keep a Pristina community center operating this winter. The money will buy enough fuel oil to keep the center’s generator running during the coldest time of year. The generators provide electricity and heat. To show their appreciation,

Fuel quality

Fuel savings officials plan to broaden impact with AF-wide summit

Members of the Air Force's Fuel Efficiency Office plan to host their first service-wide Aviation Operations Energy Steering Group summit here Feb. 16 and 17.Representatives from all Air Force major commands were invited to attend the summit. The event will be the first major meeting across the

Fuel specialists keep Air Force flying high

There is an old saying that "the Army runs on its stomach." Well, the Air Force runs on fuel, jet fuel, and lots of it.The Air Force's petroleum office makes sure the Air Force has fuel whenever and wherever it needs it, according to Col. David King, commander of Detachment 3 of the Air Force's

Fuel testing essential to maintaining standards

Senior Airman Jay Pickle conducts a refractometer test Dec. 28 to check the fuel system icing inhibitor level of a recent shipment of fuel to Ali Base, Iraq. A sample of fuel must be tested for every shipment received to ensure the quality meets the strict standards to be used in Air Force aircraft.

Fuel tests keep Misawa moving

The fuel military bases receive goes through a series of treatments before it is usable in machinery. It is the job of the Fuels Laboratory Airmen in logistics readiness squadrons to check the condition of all fuel before it's put to use. Most importantly, certain additives need to be present to

Fuel upgrades improve Lajes Field mission

Congress recently approved an $18 million project to upgrade and expand the fuel hydrant system at Lajes Field that will greatly enhance the base's mission to refuel aircraft flying across the Atlantic Ocean. Over the years, the existing fuel system began to show signs of age and use, but instead of

Fueled and ready

Fueled and ready

Fueled to fight

Fueling ACE operations from afar

Airmen from across two U.S. Air Force major commands are working together over the next few weeks in order to practice dynamic force employment operations.

Fueling future training

Tyndall Air Force Base is home to the world's largest F-22 Raptor fleet, and the only base that trains their pilots; but without the aircraft's maintainers, this impressive force could never take off from the ramp.

Fueling the Air Force arsenal, its people

Airmen and Soldiers living in tent city here are eating well thanks to active-duty and Air National Guard services specialists from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, and Kadena Air Base, Japan. Deployed to the Kona International Airport, the services team set up a single pallet expeditionary kitchen to

Fueling the fight

The punch behind the wing's airpower footprint is fed by fuel -- nearly 12 million gallons every four months. The 332d Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron's petroleum, oil and lubricants flight provides that fuel to aircraft at the second busiest single-runway in the world. Aircraft siphon

Fueling the fight

Staff Sgts. Ben Hritz (left) and Dave Follmuth help pull a 900-pound fuel bladder into place at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. Both are fuels technicians with the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing. Fuels workers currently maintain approximately 1 million gallons of fuel for KC-10 Extender and KC-135

Fueling the future: AF works to ‘home-grow’ biofuels for DOD, industry

A need to address increases in petroleum costs with an environmentally friendly fuel source has led to a new way of looking at production—and the Defense Production Act Title III Program Office, part of the Air Force Research Laboratory, is playing a critical role in commercializing this technology.

Fueling the high flyers - U-2 tube food calms cravings in the cockpit

Pureed peach cobbler, chicken-a-la-king, key lime pie, or even the classic sloppy joe in a metallic tube don't compare to a home cooked meal, but U-2 pilots say the food they eat while flying long missions is delicious.While wearing a fully pressurized suit, pilots aren't able to open the visors on

Fueling the SOF human weapon system

Special tactics operators function as state-of-the-art human weapon systems and are force multipliers integrating airpower onto the battlefield. Dozens of different factors play into their ability to project forces, but there’s one area that can be easily overlooked: nutrition.

Fueling the Strike Eagle's fire

The shimmering heat waves that emanate from jet exhaust, the rumble of twin Pratt and Whitney engines, the unmistakable aroma of pure Jet A fuel. The sights, sounds and smells of F-15E Strike Eagles in flight are made possible in part by the tireless efforts of a group of Airmen strategically placed

Fueling the way to mission success

Fuels Airmen ‘top off’ mission

A key part of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing’s mission is providing aerial refueling capabilities for the war on terrorism. For tankers, or any other aircraft, to get off the ground, they rely on the Air Force’s expeditionary fuel distribution center at a forward-deployed location.The 380th

Fuels Airmen cultivate Balad farm

Working on a farm in the Iraqi desert may not be something many American picture their troops doing, but Airmen of the 332nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron’s fuels management flight maintain a fuel bladder farm here to keep the mission flying.The Airmen use the farm to keep aircraft and

Fuels airmen keep aircraft fighting

Working out of a tiny corner of a dilapidated, Soviet-built aircraft hangar here, four airmen work around the clock to do their part in supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.They are the Air Force's petroleum, oil and lubricant specialists assigned to the 455th Expeditionary Operations Group.The POL

Fuels Airmen keep more than planes operational

For 19 years now, Master Sgt. David Chandler’s mother proudly tells everyone she meets that her son “passes gas for a living” in the U.S. Air Force.The fuels manager with the 407th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels management flight here is not fazed. He is heard them all and is ready

Fuels Airmen pump up

On a busy day at their home station, the Airmen from the fuels element measure their amount of pumped fuel by the thousands. When they are deployed here, they measure it by the hundreds of thousands. Busy is not the word.The 40th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Flight fuels Airmen pumped their

Fuels Airmen train members of Iraqi Air Force

Fuels Airmen take pride in knowing they provide fuel to the fight by supplying aircraft with the juice that keeps them flying. One more thing they can be proud of is their role in getting the Iraqi Air Force off the ground. Members of the 506th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels flight

Fuels Airmen, Marines support Northern Edge

During exercise Northern Edge 2015, approximately 450,000 gallons of fuel per day kept nearly 60 aircraft at Eielson Air Force Base, fueled up and flying the skies over Alaska to accomplish critical joint training.

Fuels branch airmen repair tanks, increase storage

With a little bit of ingenuity and hard work, airmen in the 506th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels branch here were able to salvage enemy assets and use them to their advantage.The airmen recently repaired eight underground fuel tanks to increase the branch's capability to store JP-8

Fuels flight powers Tallil

In late March, they were some of the first Air Force airmen on the ground here and were instrumental in the air war effort against Saddam Hussein’s army, increasing the loiter time of A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft by providing the planes additional fuel.Almost a year later and with the

Fuels flight pumps out record

Airmen with the 332nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron's petroleum, oil and lubricant, or POL, flight pumped a lot of gas recently. In fact, they set a record for the highest number of gallons of fuel issued in a single month over the last three years. POL Airmen received and issued a

Fuels flight wins Air Force award

The 86th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels management flight won the American Petroleum Institute trophy for best fuels flight in the Air Force for 2011. The "Black Knights" were selected over Sheppard AFB's 364th Training Squadron fuels flight and Kadena's 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels

Fuels laboratory

Fuels specialist is ‘for the birds’

Nicknamed “Nature Boy” by his colleagues, Master Sgt. William Burke spends much of his free time in the more pristine parts of the base.Amidst a green, tree-filled landscape, he tends to his true passion -- nature, and more specifically, the Eastern Bluebird.“Although Eastern Bluebirds aren’t

Fuels team assists in hurricane recovery efforts

Plowing through 5 feet of water and providing fuels assistance to those who request it is not the typical job for an Air Force fuels team, but here they did what needed to be done.A fuels team with the 2nd Logistics Readiness Squadron left Barksdale Air Force Base, La., on Sept. 1 to assist with

Full replacement value for personal property begins soon

Department of Defense customers, including servicemembers and DOD civilians, will soon be eligible for full replacement value protection on most DOD-funded personal property shipments. Full replacement value coverage will apply to personal property shipments with a pickup date on or after: -- Oct.

Full Spectrum builds international partnerships through music

Full Spectrum, a U.S. Air Forces Central Command band, recently toured the Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan, bringing American culture to local towns through the international language of music.

Full-time Airman, part-time MMA fighter

Mixed martial arts fighting is not for the faint hearted. It takes effort and full-time dedication to be the best of the best in the octagonal cage. For Senior Airman Mark Wirth, a 819th RED HORSE Squadron structural engineer, he believes he has the motivation and dedication to rise from amateur to

Fully armed

Fund fighting financers

When deployed, the last thing one wants to worry about is their finances. The 379th Expeditionary Comptroller Squadron is here to provide timely and accurate financial services for all personnel here and throughout the area of responsibility. The fund fighting team processes military pay

Fundamentals course gives space students head start

A training squadron here is offering students the first-ever spacelift course. Taught by instructors of the 392nd Training Squadron, the two-week class provides students training in spacelift concepts, capabilities and operations. There was a need for the course. In January 2004, Air Force Space

Funding concerns remain for morale, welfare programs

The director of Air Force Services testified before a house subcommittee April 17 about child care and other morale, welfare and recreation issues. "We've had significant budget cuts, and we've seen our programs reduced across the board," Arthur Myers said to members of the House Armed Services

Funeral highlights search for missing servicemembers

The leaves are changing color at Arlington National Cemetery; a bright backdrop for something as sobering as a funeral. An Army chaplain in his dress blue uniform presents a folded flag to the fallen's next of kin, a man in his 60s.This is not a father mourning the loss of his son, though. Rather,

Funeral service to be held for 9th CMSAF in Arlington

A full military honors funeral service honoring the ninth Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James C. Binnicker is scheduled to be held at 9 a.m. EDT, Aug. 14 at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia.

Funny car champion added to Wall of Achievers

National Hot Rod Association Funny Car champion Jack Beckman was added to the U.S. Air Force Enlisted Heritage Hall's Wall of Achievers May 2 at Gunter Annex here."Fast Jack," as he is called by fans, is a former Air Force sergeant and avionics technician on the F-111D Aardvark. Beckman joins a

Furlough to affect thrift savings plan contributions

Federal civilian employees could see their Thrift Savings Plan contributions reduced if furloughs take effect.The Thrift Savings Plan is a retirement savings and investment plan for federal employees and members of the uniformed services, including the Ready Reserve."Employees who have selected

Furloughs can begin April 26, DOD comptroller says

Unless Congress acts to end sequestration, furloughs for Defense Department civilian employees can begin April 26, the department's comptroller said here March 11.Robert F. Hale discussed the furlough planning process with a Pentagon audience. The comptroller also took questions sent in via Facebook

Fusion system aids war on drugs in Afghanistan

An effort between the 350th Electronic Systems Group here and one of its small-business partners has yielded a big pay-off for U.S. and coalition forces waging the war on terrorism. An Afghanistan-based fusion center they developed has helped officials seize more than 45 tons of narcotics and

Fusion warfare key to C2 future

Despite adversaries’ attempts to imitate and interfere, the Air Force’s command and control capabilities are the best in the world, said the commander of Air Combat Command during the Air Force Association Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Florida, March 2.

Future Air Force Medical Service specialists train at Wilford Hall

For many college students, summers consist of packing away textbooks, migrating home and heading to a dull, low-paying job or internship. For several U.S. Air Force Academy and ROTC cadets, a normal day's work could mean observing trauma response in an emergency room, an F-16 Fighting Falcon