AFSO 21 crucial to achieving new vision

Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century will be crucial to achieving the 50th Space Wing’s new vision, said Col. John Hyten, wing commander. “If someone asks you how we can do things smarter, tell them AFSO 21 gives us free rein to cut through red tape,” Colonel Hyten said. “With AFSO 21, we

Unit keeps pesty visitors at bay

One unit here still strives to keep the sky over a portion of Iraq a no fly zone.They also eliminate rats, loose animals and vectors, insects that can transmit diseases to animals and humans. The unit, the 407th Civil Engineer Squadron’s entomology flight provides professional pest control to ensure

Mission of security forces constantly evolving

Through the eyes of Staff Sgt. David Brown, the mission of the security forces has changed since the beginning of the war in Iraq. After all, this is his eighth deployment since Operation Iraqi Freedom started. As a sign of things to come, Airmen from the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron

VA working to prevent future information loss

The Department of Veterans Affairs has begun a thorough examination of policies and procedures after the loss of 26.5 million veterans' personal information, the VA's leader told the House Armed Services Committee May 25. "I've formed a task force ... to examine comprehensively all of our

Air Force leaders send Memorial Day message

The following is a Memorial Day message from Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley. "To the men and women of the United States Air Force: "In a time of peace and prosperity, we remember those who gave their lives in service to our country.

Services career field named Air Force Team of the Year

Each year, Air Force officials evaluate career fields for unity and exceptional performance that warrants recognition by the entire force. In conjunction with the Air Force Association, one career field is recognized with an Air Force-level award. Services, Air Force Specialty Code 3M0X1, was

Raptors find new nest in Alaska

After flying more than 3,200 miles over land, ocean, mountains and glaciers, six F-22 Raptors arrived here May 23 from Langley Air Force Base, Va. Though it isn’t the first time the Raptors have flown over snow-capped mountains, it is the first time they have flown outside of the continental United

2007 budget completes dorm recapitalization funding

The Air Force's fiscal 2007 budget request will complete the funding needed to replace inadequate dormitories for Airmen. During recent testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee's subcommittee on military construction and veterans affairs, William C. "Bill" Anderson, assistant secretary

Kenney Headquarters maximizes support to joint warfighters

The Gen. George C. Kenney Headquarters reaches its one-year anniversary June 1. Known as KHQ, the headquarters staff commands air, space and information operations for joint forces throughout the Asia-Pacific region, excluding Korea. Consisting of three elements -- the Pacific Air Operations Center,

Airmen help honor vets at country music awards show

Backstage, the anticipation of the curtains rising was surreal as 40 Airmen and eight veterans waited to make their national television debut during the 41st Academy of Country Music awards program May 23. With a quick nod and a smile from the band to calm their nerves, the director yelled, “We’re

Chaplain team here to serve

Being deployed doesn’t mean an Airman’s spiritual involvement or fellowship with other members of his or her faith has to be neglected. The 380th Air Expeditionary Wing’s base chapel is a source of continued spiritual support of worship opportunities and counseling services for deployed

DOD officials defining roles for disaster response

With hurricane season nearing, the Defense Department has tremendous assets to offer a civilian-led response to a major disaster, said a top DOD official involved in the process. "Those assets are ready for deployment, and ... we are better prepared than at any point in our nation's history to move

Air Force Services announces LeMay, Eubank winners

Each year, the Air Force recognizes the best Services units by presenting the Gen. Curtis E. LeMay and the Maj. Gen. Eugene L. Eubank awards. The LeMay trophy recognizes the best unit in the large base category, bases with 6,000 or more military and civilians assigned. The Eubank trophy recognizes

Airmen will appear on Academy of Country Music award show

Forty Airmen from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., will appear on the 41st Academy of Country Music Awards program at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas on May 23. CBS will air the live awards show starting at 8 p.m. EDT. The Airmen will be part of the performance by duo Big & Rich of their song, 8th of

Test parachutists jump to conclusions

It has been said there is no good reason to jump out of a perfectly good airplane.  But a small cadre of Airmen here have a very good reason to do so -- saving lives. They don’t wear the maroon beret of the Air Force pararescue troops.  They are members of the 418th Flight Test Squadron’s test

Air Force women first, men second in armed forces volleyball

The Air Force women’s team took top honors and the men's team came in second at the 2006 Armed Forces Volleyball Championship here May 11 to 18.The Air Force women faced the host Army team in their first match, beating them three straight games -- 25-13, 25-16 and 25-13.Kristin Huitt (a 2nd

Robotic vehicle helps clear minefields

Building roads and airfields in Afghanistan presents a unique challenge that stateside heavy equipment operators don’t encounter … minefields. That is why members of the 823rd Red Horse -- or Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers -- here joined the Air Force Research

Security forces begin transfer of mission to Iraqis

The 506th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron has begun the transfer of its mission to the Iraqi government. Following the transfer of authority to the Iraqi Army by the U.S. Army in April, security forces Airmen here are now shifting their combat patrol mission of the base defense zone to the

Nonchargeable leave authorized for adoptions

Airmen adopting children now may be authorized up to 21 days of nonchargeable leave per calendar year. A qualifying adoption is defined as the member being eligible for adoption reimbursement of qualified adoption expenses such as adoption, placement, legal and medical fees under Section 1052, Title

Center saves millions, improves warfighting abilities

Airmen deploying in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom can travel a little lighter now, thanks to the new Expeditionary Theater Distribution Center. The center here is one of three consolidated mobility bag distribution hubs that went fully operational this rotation, saving

VA urges caution after theft of personal information

Veterans Affairs officials announced May 22 the theft of personal information on up to 26.5 million veterans. However, VA Secretary R. James Nicholson stressed there's no indication the information is being used for purposes of fraud. "We at the VA have recently learned that an employee here, a data

Redeployment survey shows most Airmen return healthy

The Air Force has reassessed about 12,500 Airmen since December after they returned from deployment and found most of those Airmen to be healthy. At the close of 2005, the Air Force began asking Airmen who returned from deployment to places like Afghanistan and Iraq to complete a post-deployment

'Spirit of Berlin' a hit with Berlin Air Show spectators

The “Spirit of Berlin” proved a big hit at the 2006 Berlin Air Show. When spectators entered the C-17 Globemaster III through the crew entry door, the typical reaction was to stop, stare in awe and exclaim in wonder at the cavernous interior. “You got that all day, every day,” said Tech. Sgt. Don

Airmen help rebuild a nation

After a six-day killing frenzy of local Afghans, the Taliban seized control of this city in 1998. In November 2001, with U.S. assistance, the Afghan Northern Alliance recaptured the city of 180,000 residents. Today, Airmen continue to assist Afghanistan in its war against extremists by mentoring the

IT modernization: Leveraging the power of information

Since January, the Air Force has been busy modernizing itself through the Secretary of the Air Force initiatives embodied in Air Force Smart Operations 21. The Air Force's communications and information community is part of that modernization effort. Their focus is on restructuring information

Moody prepares for hurricane season

Airmen here buckled up the base, battled heavy winds and provided support for off-base recovery efforts during a hurricane evacuation exercise held May 15 to 18. Responding to “Hurricane Timothy” provided a realistic evaluation of the 347th Rescue Wing’s capability to plan and take the proper

Technology improvements keep information flowing to warfighter

During the recent Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., the Air Force demonstrated new technology that provides warfighters with greater connectivity and more timely information. During the exercise, the Air Force tested the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node.

Air Force announces OTS selection board results

One hundred seventy-seven men and women have been selected for the opportunity to become Air Force officers, officials here announced May 19.Of those, 37 enlisted members earned the chance to attend Officer Training School and trade their stripes for gold bars as second lieutenants.   The Air Force

Nearly 50 Air Force, Army teams compete in adventure race

While the morning sun swiftly ascended the West Texas sky, 360 Airmen, Soldiers, civilians and spouses psyched themselves up for a grueling, intense endeavor as the start of the second annual Laughlin Air Force Base Adventure Race drew near May 13. The race would take 49 teams from two branches of

New Air Staff badge recognizes Pentagon assignment

Members assigned to Headquarters Air Force staff here will soon have the option to wear a new badge. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley approved the design and development of the badge in September. The basis for the Headquarters Air Force badge is Air Force heritage and the design

Airmen learn to deal with enemy misinformation

“Loose lips sink ships.” The phrase spearheaded a campaign to keep military members from revealing sensitive information during World War II. In fact, it was so effective the phrase still means something to many Americans 65 years later. Keeping operational secrets from the enemy is still vital

Pushing freight: ATOC moves cargo in, out of Ali quickly

In a combat environment, speed and accuracy are key -- even more so when it comes to an aircraft.  And though most cargo aircraft are relatively agile when in the air, they are not while groundbound.One team’s mission here is to make sure those aircraft stay on the ground for as short a time as

Chief McKinley looking forward to new job

Command Chief Master Sgt. Rod McKinley admits he is a bit nervous about becoming the 15th chief master sergeant of the Air Force. But it is not because the job will be too tough or that becoming the Air Force’s top enlisted leader intimidates him, he said. It is the fact he will be the next chief in

Command Post awards announced

Air Force officials announced the winners of the 2005 command post annual awards. They are: - Unit Level Command Post Airman of the Year: Senior Airman Tina M. Loos, 18th Wing, Kadena Air Base, Japan - Unit Level Command Post Noncommissioned Officer of the Year: Tech. Sgt. Chastity M. Degroat, 701st

Transient alert provides Bagram its staying power

Imagine parking hundreds of cars and trucks in a convenience store parking lot. Now imagine parking those cars if they were the size of C-17 Globemaster IIIs. That image makes the task facing the transient alert team at the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing here a little clearer. “It’s kind of like a

Airmen call in 'air strikes' on Louisiana communities

Fighter jets and bombers fly overhead making multiple passes to intercept and destroy enemy targets called in by Air Force joint terminal air controllers. One pass is to destroy a building with enemy snipers. Another pass is to track a man riding a motorcycle suspected of carrying a bomb in his

Whatever you do this summer, stay safe

Each year, the Air Force stresses the importance of zero mishaps during the 101 Critical Days of Summer through PowerPoint slides, commander’s calls and safety briefings. For the most part, Airmen do their part to put safety at the forefront. But what about those safety issues that tend to fall

Airmen can now update their duty history online

Airmen will be responsible for reviewing their duty history and requesting changes, additions or deletions online through the virtual Military Personnel Flight beginning May 30. Airmen can enter the vMPF by logging onto the Air Force Personnel Center's secure Web site where they can access their

Active-duty retirement applications centralized online

The active-duty retirement program is going virtual and applications will be processed at the Air Force Contact Center effective May 22 as part of the first phase of the Personnel Services Delivery Transformation. Airmen eligible to retire will initiate the process online via the virtual Military

New service dress prototypes pique interest

Based on feedback received during visits with Airmen across the Air Force, the Air Force Uniform Board is reviewing several concepts that Airmen have suggested regarding the appearance of the service dress uniform. Some of the informal feedback about the current service dress includes Airmen wanting

Balad remains one busy airfield

Aircraft pack the flightline here and operations are non-stop and intense. C-130 Hercules, MQ-1 Predators, F-16 Fighting Falcons and HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters all call this busy base home. The men and women who support the aircraft say Balad has the busiest single-runway airfield in the Department

Suggestions garner rewards for three Airmen

Three NCOs here recently were approved to receive $10,000 each for coming up with new ideas that saved the Air Force money. Master Sgt. Mark Gauthier and Tech. Sgt. Matthew Wilson of Air Force Special Operations Command, and Tech. Sgt. Arnoldo Cuevas, 16th Civil Engineer Squadron,  are expected to

Medics return to Lackland from Iraq deployment

Air Force medics returned today to Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, after a deployment to Iraq. Many of the 60 Airmen served at the Air Force theater hospital at Balad Air Base. For the complete story on their return, see the Web report on “Medical Warriors” in the

Air Force flexibility on display in Iraq and Afghanistan

Air Force fighters no longer just swoop down from the sky to drop their deadly weapons in support of ground troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Fighters equipped with special sensor pods, developed for more precise bombing, also are warning commanders and troops fighting on the ground about enemy

Program educates military spouses, builds confidence

Signing up to join the military can be an intimidating ordeal for military members, but they're not the only ones who experience anxiety when the dotted line is signed. Before 2002, military spouses here were on their own to learn about Air Force services, customs and courtesies.  Now, coordinators

Opening another world, one book at a time

People in the 8th Fighter Wing donated more than 1,270 English-language children’s books to the Kunsan City library May 3 after a book drive that ran from March 8 to April 17. The book drive, the first of its kind here, collected books as a way to help teach English to Korean youth in the local

Thunderbirds perform 4,000th show

The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, performed their 4,000th air show May 13 at Robins Air Force Base, Ga. The show was the team's 14th of the 2006 season. “We perform about 70 air shows throughout the year, representing the 530,000 men and women in our Air

ICC: Coming soon to a base near you

When a crisis happens on base, wing leaders and representatives from various support agencies often will huddle in the wing command post. Operating from this nerve center, they direct emergency services, assess situations and come up with solutions during crises. But the days of the traditional

'Your life is our business'

In the shadows behind every aircrew stands a life support team. These Airmen typically don’t seek the limelight. Instead, they want all “their” aircrews to come home safely. The role of life support is significant for many reasons, said Staff Sgt. Jessica McCormick, a KC-135 Stratotanker life

Medics make air evacuation easier on wounded troops

Wounded U.S. troops leave this base each day on military transports after their release from the contingency air staging facility at the airport waiting area. The staging area is a busy place and has all the staff and equipment needed to treat any patient awaiting air evacuation. Airmen from the

DOD, Congress making progress on Tricare changes

The Defense Department, working hard with Congress for the past several months, has reached some conclusions about how the fee system for military health care should be changed, a top DOD official said here May 11. "It's universally agreed that there is a serious issue, a serious problem, with the

C-17 pilot receives Koren Kolligian Jr. Trophy

The skies over West Texas March 10, 2005 could have come right off a picture postcard:  blue, cloudless and so clear you could see horizon to horizon. It was, as one Air Force pilot put it, a perfect day for flying. Capt. Andreas Ix and his C-17 Globemaster III aircrew were participating in a

Strategic maintenance gives Airmen diverse experience

Maintainers spend thousands of hours keeping transport aircraft flying during the course of a rotation to this desert base. So when Airmen from the 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron maintenance flight show up for work, they know they will be busy. The flight’s mission is to provide strategic

'Air Force Report' special focuses on suicide prevention

Suicide prevention is a major priority for the Air Force. Stress, as a result of deployments and relationship and financial problems, affects everyone, and unfortunately, some believe suicide is the only way out.There is, however, help. Early intervention, whether from a co-worker, a chaplain or a

Chief Murray reflects on 29-year career

Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray led his last Worldwide Command Chief’s Conference here April 21-26, meeting with command chiefs from around the Air Force to exchange information and discuss challenges facing today’s Airmen.During the 12th annual conference, the chief took

Air Force inspires Army motorcycle mentorship program

The U.S. Army recently began testing its motorcycle mentorship program at selected installations since being inspired by the success of the Air Force's program. Air Force officials claim about a 50-percent reduction in motorcycle accidents since introducing the program in 2004. Fiscal 2006

Air Force Honor Guard performs at 2006 Air and Sea Show

After the roar of the aircraft was silenced, the steady clicking of heels could be heard marching closer and closer. Suddenly, a group of Airmen, weapons contrasting starkly against their white gloves, formed up to begin their own performance: rhythmic weapon-slapping and heel-clicking mixed with

N.Y. lacrosse team dedicates season to Pope Airmen

When Brianna Maglio scored the first goal of the season for her fourth grade lacrosse team in Garden City, N.Y., she wasn’t just doing it for her team. The Gray Sweeties, Brianna's team, have dedicated this season to her brother, Airman Emilio Lavia, and his unit, the 43rd Logistics Readiness

Mechanics keep fleet rolling through dust, mud

Working on vehicles in the desert presents challenges. Mechanics sometimes have to scrape off layers of dirt and mud just to get to the broken part. Then there’s the parts themselves -- it is not like they can simply call an automotive supply store in Baghdad to deliver a part. “Back home, you could

Airmen enable Iraqi police training

In a small outpost in the Iraqi city of Mosul, about 50 Airmen provide a safe, secure and professional environment at the Mosul Public Service Academy to enable the training of an effective and professional Iraqi police force. The Airmen at the MPSA have the chance to interact with the students who

SECAF releases latest 'Letter to Airmen'

In his "Letter to Airmen" released today, Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne addresses one of the U.S. Air Forces’ core values -- Service Before Self. “As I visit and work with Airmen around the world, I could not be prouder of the many ways that you sacrifice for service before self,

Lt. Gen. James says farewell to Air Guard members

Lt. Gen. Daniel James III retired as the 11th director of the Air National Guard in a ceremony at Bolling Air Force Base, D.C., on May 10.He earlier bid farewell to members of the Air National Guard in a short speech that focused almost entirely on them and barely on himself.“You’re very special

Navigator takes on training challenge

A C-130 Hercules navigator said helping train the Airmen of the Iraqi Air Force's first operational transport unit was no easy task. Capt. Jeremy Smith of the 37th Airlift Squadron here served a tour with the 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron’s advisory committee at Balad Air Base, Iraq, helping

Fighters 'take down' mountain

Some people move mountains, others destroy them. On Tuesday, May 2, four 336th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron Airmen did just that. Two F-15E Strike Eagle crews flew out from here on a mission in support of Operation Mountain Lion. Their assignment -- a preplanned attack to destroy caves inside a

Air Force plans for cleaner, greener future

In the 1980s, firefighter training was straightforward: light a fire and see how quickly and safely it can be extinguished. So in fire-training pits at Air Force bases around the world, jet fuel was regularly sprayed onto old aircraft carcasses and the surrounding ground. The fuel was ignited and

Security forces at Bagram practice urban warfare

Deployed Airmen, distributing humanitarian supplies, are taken hostage by enemy forces while visiting an Afghan village. It’s now up to the accompanying squad of security forces to rescue the Airmen and eliminate the bad guys. This is the scenario members of the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces

Connecting the world one wire at a time

They maintain miles of cable and wire so everyone can communicate here and to the world. The job has them working above and below ground, while fighting all the elements of being in a desert climate. This responsibility lies with the 407th Expeditionary Communications Squadron’s base information

Desktop configuration coming for ACC network users

Air Combat Command is taking steps to standardize its 68,000 Windows-based computers by Dec. 31 -- a change that will affect every Airman and Air Force civilian who uses a computer on the network. This project, called the Standard Desktop Configuration, or SDC, is a first-time initiative that will

Next top enlisted chief focused on Air Force priorities

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force-select Rodney J. McKinley said his new job brings with it a great responsibility to the service’s enlisted force. As such, when he assumes his new post as the Air Force’s 15th top enlisted leader July 1, he’s not planning to make immediate changes, he said during

McGuire Airman makes lucky catch

Sports history landed in the lap of a McGuire Airman May 8 while he sat in the right field bleachers of Citizens Bank Park, as the Philadelphia Phillies played the San Francisco Giants. Airman 1st Class Carlos Oliveras of the 305th Aerial Port Squadron caught Barry Bonds' 713th home run ball, which

Florida National Guard ready to respond to wildfires

More than 8,000 citizen Airmen and Soldiers are ready to assist the state of Florida in fighting wildfires that have plagued the state for several weeks, Florida National Guard officials announced May 9. Guard officials said that more than 8,000 acres have burned in Florida, particularly in Volusia,

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

Missing World War II Airmen identified

The Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office, or DPMO, announced today that two members of a four-man Army Air Forces crew missing in action from World War II have been identified. They are being returned to their families for burial with full military honors. The crew is pilot Capt. Douglas Wight of

Services squadron shows 'BEST' hospitality

Since January, hundreds of prizes have been passed out at bingo games, dozens of entertainers have passed through and personal trainers have spent more than 1,000 hours helping people meet their fitness goals here. “But what I wish I knew more than anything,” said 1st Lt. Tyson Edwards, “is the

Security forces demonstrate skills during Kyrgyzstan deployment

Warfighters deploying in support of Operation Enduring Freedom can rest easy knowing their safety rests in the hands of security forces Airmen from here. Members of the 71st Security Forces Squadron from Vance deployed to Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, in February to protect Airmen and cargo from

Red Flag-Alaska wraps up

More than 84 aircraft and 1,500 Air Force active duty, Reserve, and National Guard Airmen here and at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, wrapped up the first Red Flag-Alaska, held April 24 through May 5. Until this year, the exercise had been known as Cope Thunder.Pilots, maintainers, weapons

Airborne Airmen, Soldiers train together

The Air Force lost a shade of blue last week when more than 30 airborne-qualified Airmen and their counterparts from the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division jumped into a simulated unusable airfield during a Joint Forced Entry Exercise here. The exercise tested the teams’ abilities to “jump out of a

A world away, Airmen enjoy hometown tradition

About 50 Airmen deployed here participated in Bloomsday Away on May 7, bringing an annual tradition from Spokane, Wash., to military members half a world away. The city’s annual Bloomsday 12K is a popular race with more than 50,000 participants annually. Airmen deployed here from Fairchild Air Force

Training programs welcome international interest

Air Force officer and NCO training programs were showcased earlier this week when the commander of South Korea’s Education and Training Command visited schools here May 1 to 2. Lt. Gen. Youngha Lee of the Republic of South Korea Headquarters for Air Force Education and Training Command in Jinju met

Predator maintenance team is a ‘total force’

Total force is more than just a concept for one squadron here. It is a way of life that brings the skills and talents of various groups into one unit to accomplish the mission.The 46th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit is responsible for maintaining the RQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicles

Palace HART helps injured Airmen

A common trait exists among the injured Airmen recuperating at hospitals in the capital region, said the Air Force chief of staff. “Every Airman I’ve met wants to return to active duty and (his or her) unit,” said Gen. T. Michael Moseley in recent testimony on Capitol Hill. “I am proud of them and

AFMC wellness, safety campaign debuts May 8

"Wellness is an attitude!" If Air Force Materiel Command leaders have their way, those words will become more than just a slogan for the command's new wellness and safety campaign. They will become a way of life. AFMC Commander Gen. Bruce Carlson identified wellness and safety of the command's

Blood platelet collection begins at Balad

When coalition forces are wounded on the battlefield, sometimes it takes more than a skilled medical team to save their lives. It takes blood, and lots of it.With the help of apheresis, a new capability at the Air Force Theater Hospital here, doctors now have a ready supply of platelets, one of the

Reserve wing, Army unit join forces at Red Flag-Alaska

The Air Force Reserve Command's 934th Airlift Wing, lead wing for the Elmendorf component of Red Flag-Alaska 06-2, is working with the Army’s 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, to ensure both units receive the training they need. The coordination began about nine months ago

Security forces Airmen at SWAT competition

Guam reservists support cargo hub at Incirlik

Twelve reservists temporarily assigned to the 728th Air Mobility Squadron had to travel a long, long way from home to get here. The Airmen, who are with the Air Force Reserve Command's 44th Aerial Port Squadron at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, traveled more than 72 hours to participate in a

Air Force names 2005 Mission Support Award winners

The winners of the 2005 Mission Support Awards were announced May 2.The results are: PersonnelGen. Robert J. Dixon Personnel Award: Senior Master Sgt. Jimmy Jones, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. Gen. Horace M. Wade Innovation Award: Tech. Sgt. Wendy Davis, Tyndall AFB, Fla. Gerrit D. Foster Jr.

Fewer Airmen delinquent on government travel card payments

More Airmen are paying their government travel card bills on time, allowing the Air Force to reach what many believed was an unattainable goal set by the Department of Defense, an Air Force official said. “We met our goal by lowering our delinquency rate below 2 percent for two consecutive months,”

Airmen help Iraqi pilots fly again

Pilots from the Iraqi Air Force are waiting patiently for a team of Airmen to arrive from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. It’s this team that can get them up in the air and flying again. The mission of the Iraqi 3rd Squadron hinges on the work of the Air Force Flight Test Center. The center sent a

Medical officer testifies before defense subcommittee

The Air Force’s medical Airmen are performing “magnificently,” said the Air Force surgeon general during testimony before the Senate Committee on Appropriations subcommittee on defense here May 3. “We take care of the nation’s heroes, past and present,” said Lt. Gen. (Dr.) George Peach Taylor Jr.,

B-52 presence welcomed by U.S., coalition forces

Thirty thousand feet above Afghan terrain, the presence of B-52 Stratofortresses is felt. Their presence is welcomed by U.S. and coalition forces fighting in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, but not welcomed by the terrorists who operate from there. Maintaining the fleet of B-52s here is no

Chief Murray: Are you ready?

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray sent out “The Enlisted Perspective” to Airmen on May 1. In his letter, Chief Murray tells Airmen how important it is to be ready to deploy. “We all have a role to play and we must continually evaluate whether we are doing everything we can to

Long hours the norm for deployed Globemaster crews

It is contrary to what common sense dictates. A series of short C-17 Globemaster III flights demand intense aircrew energy and stamina. But longer sorties remain more physically manageable. “Either way you look at it, our C-17 crews put in long hours that place physical and mental demands on the

Airmen make history in Iraq

Five Airmen have joined aviation pioneers Gen. Henry H. “Hap” Arnold, Gen. James H. "Jimmy" Doolittle and Brig. Gen. Charles “Chuck” Yeager in a select group -- all are recipients of the Clarence Mackay Trophy. To the five-person crew, the flight over northern Iraq that put them in the record books

Air Force mandates virtual outprocessing

All Airmen undergoing permanent change-of-station moves, retirements or separations are now required to use the Virtual Outprocessing application available through the Virtual Military Personnel Flight. Airmen can enter the vMPF by logging onto the Air Force Personnel Center's secure Web site where

Andrews radio operators assist crewmembers worldwide

As an Air Force aircraft approaches Yokota Air Base, Japan, the pilot sets his radio to a specified frequency and says, “Main Sail, Main Sail” -- the call sign for any global radio station. Within seconds, the pilot hears, “This is the Yokota operator.” That operator is actually with the 789th

Incirlik controllers vital link in communications process

When the red light flashes, command post controllers react quickly because any delay could impact the mission of this base. The alarm could be a call about inclement weather. Or it could be a call for a first sergeant about a Red Cross notification. It could signal force protection changes or

Air Force sergeants MIA from Vietnam War identified

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office, or DPMO, announced May 2 that the remains of two Airmen, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified. They were crewmembers on a C-130 Hercules that was shot down in 1972.The Airmen are Tech. Sgt. Donald Hoskins of Madison,

Retreat reconnects couples before, after deployments

On the banks of the Guadalupe River, a veterans group hosts a retreat that helps couples reconnect so they can better cope with life after deployments. Six couples attended the retreat hosted by the Military, Veteran and Family Assistance Foundation at the Heart of the Hills Camp here from April 20

Air Force leaders highlight contribution to warfighters

Participants in the Joint Civilian Orientation Course touring the U.S. Central Command area of operations April 29 learned about the mission the Air Force carries out in support of troops on the ground. Lt. Gen. Gary North, commander of U.S. Central Command Air Forces, described the magnitude of the