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  • Former chief of staff visits Fairchild, praises AMC

    "The primary purpose of the United States Air Force is to fight and win America's wars."With this statement, retired Gen. Ronald R. Fogleman, the former Air Force chief of staff, summed up an address on the history of Air Mobility Command and the Air Force during his meeting with more than 400

  • Elmendorf, coalition forces hone skills at Red Flag-Alaska

    Airmen from Japan, Mongolia, Spain, Thailand, Turkey and the United States are at Elmendorf Air Force Base honing their warfighting skills as they participate in Red Flag-Alaska July 12 through 27.More than 80 aircraft and 1,500 servicemembers from the six countries are flying together in

  • Largest Air Force contingent rides across Iowa

    At dawn on July 21, 148 Air Force Cycling Team bicyclists kicked off a 477-mile bike ride across Iowa. Sponsored by the Des Moines Register newspaper, the Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa, or RAGBRAI, is the longest, largest and oldest ride in America with 10,000 riders from all over

  • 'Living Legends' offer Airmen historical perspective

    The three-part "Living Legends" series concluded at the Pentagon Conference Center July 19. The "Living Legends" series included three seminars featuring panels of past and present Air Force leaders who discussed advancements in air power from World War II to the present day war on terrorism. The

  • Center has key role in Integral Fire 2007

    When Exercise Integral Fire 2007 kicks off July 23 here and at 14 other sites across the country, the Global Cyberspace Integration Center will provide the necessary command and control systems and expertise to link the various simulations being tested. Integral Fire 07, an Air Force integrated

  • Air Force Cyber Command online for future operations

    The Air Force's soon-to-be newest major command, Air Force Cyber Command, is still on track, or rather still online. Air Force Cyber Command is creating a foundation now for the combat Airmen of today and tomorrow, said Lt. Gen. Robert J. Elder Jr., commander of 8th Air Force here and the joint

  • July 7 airpower summary: Compass Call directs electronic warfare

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 7, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided overwatch for

  • Bush nominates Mullen, Cartwright to top military posts

    President Bush nominated Navy Adm. Michael Mullen to serve as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Marine Corps Gen. James E. Cartwright as his vice chairman, June 28.Speaking in the White House Roosevelt Room, President Bush called the two men "experienced military officers who are

  • Chilton: 'We cannot afford to be surprised'

    "Today, we're at the high water mark when it comes to integrating space capabilities and combat effects for the warfighter," the commander of Air Force Space Command said. Gen. Kevin P. Chilton delivered these words during the Space Warfare Symposium sponsored by the Lance P. Sijan Chapter of the

  • 12th Air Force hosts Blue Flag

    More than 900 U.S. and coalition forces from around the globe began battling a new enemy June 18:  the fictitious "Califon," an aggressive nation bent on controlling the mineral fields located on the island of "Pacifica." The scenario is part of exercise Blue Flag 07-2, an operational-level exercise

  • Air University reorganization yields new AF research group

    Air University is creating a new, independent research institute that will supplement AU idea-generating capacity and support air and space research inquiries from the chief of staff, as well as other top-level decision makers. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley emphasized in a recent

  • Education key to fight current, future air ops

    The U.S. Central Command air component commander said the Air Force has better-trained Airmen today fighting the war on terrorism, but also said all Airmen must continue to prepare for today's fight and tomorrow's wars. Lt. Gen. Gary North was here June 20-21 to address current senior leaders in the

  • History project honors vets with 'The Great War'

    The Veterans History Project, a program of the Library of Congress American Folklife Center, presents "The Great War," a tribute to World War I veterans, in a new section of its Web site at www.loc.gov/vets. Rich in personal detail, photographs, journals and letters, "The Great War" provides a

  • Pilots get taste of combat during Red Flag-Alaska

    The exercise is Red Flag, but it is in Alaska this time, not Nevada. There are similarities -- both exercises focus on advanced tactical training for aircrew members against air and surface threats. Both employ an aggressor force in the air and from the ground. Both have similar training objectives

  • SECAF: Dominance in cyberspace is not optional

    The Air Force's senior leader's message was clear: dominance in cyberspace is not optional.  He made that case to attendees May 23 at the inaugural 55th Wing Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Symposium in Omaha. "Our own nation's neural network resides in cyberspace," Secretary of the

  • Self-defense course kicks way into training

    Traditional thinking for Air Force pre-deployment preparation may have Airmen reading the Airman's Manual from front to back and getting in some form of combat skills training at home station. Would that same effort include learning about the Linear Infighting Neural-override Engagement, or LINE,

  • Nations at Combined Endeavor combat cyberspace security

    As technology continues its steady advance, controlling cyberspace becomes increasingly critical to securing warfighting capabilities. In order to help prevent future conflicts by integrating and streamlining communications on a global scale, the 13th annual Combined Endeavor exercise April 27 to

  • Letter to Airmen highlights cyberspace operations

    In the latest Letter to Airmen, Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne discusses cyberspace operations and how the Air Force is extending its global vigilance, reach and power into cyberspace. Secretary Wynne said that our adversaries are attempting to access American servers that contain

  • Special Operations Command celebrates 20 years

    Air Force Special Operations Command Airmen joined personnel from U.S. Special Operations Command to celebrate USSOCOM's 20th anniversary held April 23-27 at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. USSOCOM, made up of about 48,000 Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps special operators, specializes in

  • Air University hosts counterinsurgency symposium

    Air University officials hosted the 2007 Air Force Symposium on Counterinsurgency April 24 through 26 here and speakers spoke on counterinsurgency in the present day warfare environment and the Air Force's role in counterinsurgency operations. Air University Commander Lt. Gen. Stephen R. Lorenz said

  • Week in Photos features Airmen around the globe

    The "Week In Photos" Web feature on Air Force Link provides visitors with photos that highlight Air Force missions around the world. Among this week's photos are: Senior Airman Gil Alicea is silhouetted while doing a phase dock inspection on an F-16 at Balad Air Base, Iraq. Airman Alicea is a crew

  • Ten Airmen selected for AFIT degree program

    Air Force officials recently selected 10 enlisted Airmen to continue their education through the Enlisted to Air Force Institute of Technology Graduate Degree Program. Nine Airmen will pursue their degree programs at AFIT at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio; one Airman will study at an

  • General provides clarification on UAV use

    Recent discussion in hearings on Capitol Hill, and elsewhere on an executive agency proposal to achieve greater efficiency in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) procurement is being confused with joint operational employment of those UAVs. "These are two related, but distinctly separate issues," said

  • Air Force proactive in combating biological warfare

    Air Force officials have approved a new Counter-Biological Warfare Concept of Operations and Air Force Instruction to help Air Force installations better respond to biological threats. "Until now, the Air Force hasn't had any formal guidance on how to prepare for or respond to biological attacks or

  • Combat comm Airmen hone skills in field training

    The 1st Combat Communication Squadron from Ramstein Air Base, recently trained in a field near Bitburg, Germany, where they dealt with hostile conditions simulating a deployed environment. The comm squadron has several field training sessions throughout each year, with both classroom and field

  • Scientific Advisory Board helps move ideas from concept to reality

    When today's Airmen use one of the many cutting edge technology tools at their disposal, they can thank a small group of scientists and engineers for helping make it a reality. The Air Force Scientific Advisory Board continued their long tradition of helping the Air Force bring new ideas to reality

  • Officials discuss executive agency for UAVs

    Air Force officials invited Defense representatives to the Pentagon April 13 to discuss the Air Force's proposal to assume executive agent responsibilities for medium- and high-altitude unmanned aerial vehicles. The proposal was put forward March 5 in a memorandum to senior Defense officials from

  • Airmen show 'can-do' spirit in joint force environment

    In the constantly changing environment of modern warfare, Airmen are constantly being tasked to do things and go places out of the ordinary. Long gone are the days when the Air Force was built around strategic bombing, isolated to the rear of the lines on comfortable bases. Today's Airmen often work

  • Georgia, Robins partner for prosperity to base, state

    An opportunity to provide the Air Force easier access to the innovative technologies being developed by research universities and companies in Georgia was made possible through the first joint venture between an air logistics center and its state government. Robins Air Force Base has joined with the

  • NATO commanders go north to prepare for Afghanistan

    The mission in Afghanistan is one of the most challenging tasks NATO has taken on as it provides security and stability for the war-torn country via the International Security Assistance Force. To ensure ISAF troops are ready for this Afghanistan mission NATO leaders are relying on the Joint Warfare

  • Airmen keep a step ahead of enemy

    They don't talk much about what they do, at least to those outside the small, secure compound in Ops Town. But, they do listen to what others have to say -- mostly enemy ground forces. The 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron maintains a constant presence in the Central Command area of

  • Services Airmen keep morale high in Iraq

    Between aircraft sorties, mortar attacks and grueling long days for the residents of Balad AB and Logistical Support Area Anaconda, 20 Airmen of the Expeditionary Services Squadron are doing their part to keep them fit, entertained and ready for the fight. "We're here for everyone else's happiness

  • Guam B-52s evacuate to Fairchild in wake of typhoon

    Aircrews and six B-52 Stratofortress bombers from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, arrived here April 1 seeking refuge from Typhoon Kong-Rey, which ripped through the Western Pacific April 2. The B-52 is a long-range, heavy bomber that was stationed at Fairchild for nearly four decades. The aircraft

  • Airmen in Norway contribute to NATO mission

    In the southwest corner of Norway, there's a small community of Airmen stationed at Stavanger Air Base who support U.S. military members working for NATO. The 426th Air Base Squadron helps U.S. forces who work in the Joint Warfare Center, which trains NATO leaders and conducts exercises to enhance

  • Air Command and Staff College offers online master's degree

    Air University's Air Command and Staff College begins offering an online master's degree program in June. For the first time ever, eligible officers will be able to enroll in an educational program that simultaneously fulfills Joint Professional Military Education and Air Force Intermediate

  • Nellis officials host threat analysis working group

    Officials from the 57th Information Aggressor Squadron hosted the first-ever Information Operations Threat Analysis Working Group at the Threat Training Facility at Nellis March 27 to 29. This event brought together experts from 31 U.S. intelligence, research and development, and operational

  • Joint Warfare Center tests new tools in exercise

    The Joint Warfare Center in Stavanger, Norway, might be half a world away from Afghanistan, but it's where the journey begins for a NATO battle staff headed downrange to fight the war on terrorism. The JWC relies on exercises like Enabler 2007 to prepare those officers for the challenges that await

  • Air Force leaders gather for Four Star Conference

    Air Force senior leaders gathered here March 23 for the Four Star Conference to discuss the service's top challenges, opportunities and priorities.Topics ranged across a diverse set of issues, from how the Air Force develops and sustains warfighting systems to how moving targets are attacked,

  • Stand-up of training group marks international homecoming

    With an international audience standing watch, Col. Michael Cosby accepted the flag of command for the reactivated 363rd Training Group at an air base in the Persian Gulf region March 26. Though officially listed as an activation, officiating officer, Lt. Gen. Gary North, U.S. Central Command Air

  • Air Force legend Col. Chase Nielsen passes away

    Retired Lt. Col. Chase J. Nielsen, one of the famed "Tokyo Doolittle Raiders" who helped boost American morale in the early days of World War II with a surprise air attack on Japan and spent a lifetime as an advocate for American airpower, died March 23 at his home in Brigham City, Utah. Born Jan.

  • Air Force fosters "warrior ethos" in all Airmen

    Whether it's the recent changes to basic military training, continual preparation for deployments, engaging in combat or new and better uniforms, Air Force leaders are instilling a warrior mindset in Airmen. That warrior ethos -- the foundation of what it means to be an Airman -- traces its roots to

  • Anthrax program becomes mandatory for some Airmen

     The Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program, or AVIP, mandates Airmen assigned to high-threat areas receive the Anthrax vaccine, while also providing Airmen the choice to continue anthrax vaccines if they are not assigned to a designated high-threat area. Headquarters Air Force sent out an

  • Virtual Flag exercise hosted at Pentagon

    The Air Force's C4ISR Visualization Center at the Pentagon, along with the 705th Combat Training Squadron from Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., hosted a simulation exercise March 7 to help joint tactical air controllers experience the challenges of calling in air strikes to enemy targets

  • Airmen upgrading 'Giant Voice' systems in England

    Airmen from the 1st Communications Maintenance Squadron at Kapaun Air Station, Germany, are installing giant voice systems throughout the United Kingdom. The 'Giant Voice' is a 2,000-watt speaker that alerts people on base of danger, whether from natural disasters or terrorist attacks. "Most people

  • Warfare center is now U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center

    The Air Mobility Warfare Center flag was rolled up and a new flag bearing the name "United States Air Force Expeditionary Center" was unfurled March 5 during a re-designation ceremony here. "If you want to know why you've become the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center, it's because you earned it,"

  • Andersen bombers participate in Koa Lightning exercise

    The low rumble of B-52s shook the normally quiet evening sky above Andersen Air Force Base as the Stratofortresses of the 36th Operations Group participated in Pacific Command's Koa Lightning exercise over the islands of Hawaii. For the men and women of the 96th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, the

  • Research of materials for use in extreme environments

    Leading edge scientific discoveries and breakthroughs funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research here could pave the way for new performance capabilities of materials used in extreme environments. Among these latest developments, recently presented at an AFOSR ceramics program review, is

  • Cyberspace warfare remains serious business

    It's a primary medium for the way the Air Force does business, whether it is used for command, control, communications, intelligence, surveillance or reconnaissance, yet cyberspace remains a relatively new and vulnerable frontier. And Air Force leaders know it. With technology evolving so quickly,

  • Doctrine Center 'jump starts' irregular warfare doctrine

    Air University's Air Force Doctrine Center held a special writing group here Feb. 20 to 23 in order to put Air Force irregular warfare doctrine on the "fast track." Subject-matter experts were invited to attend the four-day conference in an ongoing effort to fill a void in war-fighting policy.  Air

  • Fighting in cyberspace means cyber domain dominance

    The Air Force officially announced creation of the new Cyberspace Command late last year. Now, just four months later, the command's leaders are talking about the way ahead. The Air Force's operational Cyberspace Command, also known as 8th Air Force, is commanded by Lt. Gen. Robert J. "Bob" Elder.

  • General speaks on Elmendorf's, Air Force's future

    The Air Force deputy chief of staff for operations, plans and requirements, visited here Feb. 21 to 23 to discuss the capabilities Alaska provides to the service, recapitalization, joint initiatives and the arrival of the C-17 Globemaster IIIs and F-22 Raptor.Although he is no longer stationed in

  • Anthrax vaccine program becomes mandatory for some

    The Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program, or AVIP, mandates Airmen assigned to high-threat areas receive the Anthrax vaccine, while also providing Airmen the choice to continue anthrax vaccines if they are not assigned to a designated high-threat area. Implementation of the AVIP begins March 19, in

  • Air Warfare Symposium features Air Force success, future

    Aerial support is critical in Iraq and Afghanistan. It saves lives and enables re-supply for troops fighting in difficult, remote terrain. But the heavy demand for aerial support is wearing down available assets, compounding problems already faced by aging Air Force fleets. The necessity to

  • Air Force leaders speak at annual AFA convention

    History and heritage, recapitalization and mission readiness and accomplishments were just a few of the topics covered by the Air Force's senior leaders at the Air Force Association's 23rd annual Air Warfare Symposium here Feb. 8 and 9. Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne introduced his

  • Wing responsible for wide range of support, missions

    Coalition forces have supported operations in Afghanistan for more than five years and the Airmen of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing here perform a wide range of missions in support of those operations. Afghanistan operations are broken up into five regions that operate under the International

  • Hill supports warfighters with software products

    Simulated warfare found in popular video games can take months of detailed planning and encoding. In the real world, the lives of American warfighters rely on quality software products. Factoring in the Department of Defense's need for flawless systems management in support of the real deal gives

  • Air Force's top leaders address service concerns

    The Air Force secretary and chief of staff took the opportunity to discuss the service's challenges and ongoing efforts in the war on terrorism Feb. 8 at the Air Force Association Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Fla.Michael Wynne and Gen. T. Michael Moseley spoke about the challenges of force

  • Eagle Flag role players: Airmen helping Airmen

    In a matter of minutes, one master sergeant here became a "chief" during a briefing for Exercise Eagle Flag 07-3 Feb. 5 at Fort Dix, N.J. "As a role player, you're deployed here to help push the students to do better, but we learn right beside them," said Master Sgt. James Gardner of the 60th

  • Airmen honored for combatant deployment roles

    The Air Force recently named three Fort Hood, Texas, Airmen the first recipients of three new awards during a ceremony at the Hall of Heroes in the Pentagon. The new awards honor members of the tactical air control party career field. Two of the awards are named after TACP Airmen who gave their

  • Expeditor training part of AFSO 21 initiatives

    Members of the 60th Aerial Port Squadron here are holding a two-week class to develop ways to eliminate time aircrews and loadmasters are spending on the ground after a flight. Tech. Sgt. Ryan Holmes, a course director from the Air Mobility Warfare Center at Fort Dix, N.J., said they will train

  • The making of an air commando

    I had never heard the song before, but the melody was vaguely familiar: "Swamp rat, swamp rat, where do you hi-ide? "Come out in the open and I'll be your guy-ide." The raspy voice bounced off the tall pines in Kisatchie National Forest in central Louisiana: I'm a friendly guerilla who'll take you

  • Wing supports mission at 'critical time'

    The 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing is the most forward-deployed Air Force wing in Iraq. The wing has pioneered modern warfare tactics using advanced weapons systems such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon, A-10 II Thunderbolt and the MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle for close-air support and traditional

  • Symposium to highlight role, future of airborne ISR

    The future of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance will be the focus May 22 to 24 during the 55th Wing's inaugural ISR symposium, "Leading the Fight -- Airborne ISR in 2025," in Omaha, Neb. The symposium will highlight the importance of airborne ISR to decision-makers across the spectrum.

  • SECAF town hall meeting: Every Airman an ambassador

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne spoke in front of a packed house January 31 during his town hall meeting at the Pentagon. During the meeting, the secretary discussed some of the issues facing the Air Force today as well as its strengths and his goals for 2007. One issue included the ages

  • Air University debuts strategic publication, seeks articles

    Air University officials have announced the debut of a publication that will serve as a forum for the critical examination of and debate about contemporary national defense topics. They are inviting authors to share their perspectives on strategic issues in today's headlines. Topics of discussion

  • Changes planned for ISR community

    The Air Force director of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, or ISR, recently discussed his plans for improving the service's ISR capabilities. During a recent roundtable with members of the press, Lt. Gen. David A. Deptula laid out his plans for overhauling the service's ISR functions.

  • Williamsburg Talks join international air forces

    Leaders from four international air forces gathered Jan. 18 through 21 in Williamsburg, Va., to discuss issues and share ideas regarding their respective services and discovered they all faced similar challenges. Hosted by Gen. T. Michael Moseley, the Air Force chief of staff, the four-day event

  • Airmen train with Marines for urban warfare

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

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

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

  • Mobility Operations School earns award for online course

    An online course aimed at training students in the Air Force air transportation career field in aerial port air freight operations earned a Gold Award in the 2006 Brandon Hall Excellence in E-Learning Awards competition in Denver.The Air Mobility Warfare Center's Mobility Operations School here

  • AFA announces annual symposium

    Top military leaders will examine air warfare at the start of the new century and what the future may hold for the Air Force at the 23rd Annual Air Warfare Symposium Feb. 8 and 9 in Orlando, Fla. The theme for this year's Air Force Association symposium is "Striking the Balance: Today's War,

  • Deployed B-52s complete counter-sea exercise

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

  • JPADS continues 'revolution in airdrop technology'

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

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

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

  • 1st Special Operations Wing mission

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

  • The Air Commandos

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

  • Emblem symbolizes wing's mission

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

  • Reconnaissance aircraft, team reach milestone

    It may not have the stealthy skin of the B-2 Spirit or be able to hover vertically like the CV-22 Osprey, but the RC-135 Rivet Joint is the only aircraft that Airmen can claim to be deployed continuously for 6,000 days. This milestone can be touted by Airmen in the 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance

  • International affairs program takes off with larger rated presence

    The chief of staff of the Air Force recently approved a request by Bruce Lemkin, deputy undersecretary of the Air Force for international affairs, to augment rated presence in the International Affairs Specialist program by 109 officers. Gen. T. Michael Moseley announced this will be accomplished by

  • Travis, Robins test wireless aircraft intercom system

    For five days, Air Force aircraft maintainers at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., and Robins Air Force Base, Ga., demonstrated the Telephonics TruLink Wireless System at their respective bases to great success. The system demonstration was conducted as part of an initiative dubbed "Wireless Intercom

  • Air Mobility Battlelab combines cargo, passenger loaders

    With a mission to make loading passengers and cargo easier, the Air Mobility Warfare Center's Air Mobility Battlelab came up with an innovative idea using existing technology -- the Halverson Air Stairs Kit, or HASK. The HASK concept is a passenger stairs attachment kit designed to entirely replace

  • Winter 2007 quarterly issue of Airman available online

    Read about how Airmen are rebuilding hope by mentoring Iraqi soldiers, see how warfare is evolving thanks to valuable training in the field, discover how Balad hospital is thriving thanks to deployed servicemembers, and learn how one family is receiving much-needed support from the Air Force to care

  • Registration open for Rodeo 2007

    Registration for Air Mobility Expeditionary Rodeo 2007 is now open through April 2. This year's competition takes place July 22-28 at McChord Air Force Base, Wash.United States Air Force teams can register online on Department of Defense computers at the Rodeo 2007 Web site,

  • New unit strengthens U.S.-Japan alliance

    More than a year of planning reaches a milestone in strengthening the U.S.-Japan security alliance Jan. 5 with a ceremony activating Detachment 1, 13th Air Force, at Yokota Air Base, Japan.Col. Michael MacWilliam, formerly the 5th AF director of operations and plans, will command the detachment,

  • Air Force leaders develop strategic view on fuels

    Air Force leaders from major commands met here recently to discuss the service's strategic viewpoint on fuel conservation. As the Department of Defense's greatest fuel consumer, the Air Force must examine every aspect of fuel consumption while maintaining its core competencies and power-projection

  • Misawa base news goes online

    As the end of 2006 rapidly approaches, a significant chapter in the history of the Northern Light closes with this issue as it heralds its transition from newsprint to a cyber-space news source. "This transition is in line with Air Force Smart Operations-21," said Brig. Gen. Sam Angelella, 35th

  • TRANSCOM commander visits Air Mobility Warfare Center

    Saying he was impressed by the remarkable people and their wide-ranging missions, the commander of the U.S. Transportation Command wrapped up a two-day tour Dec. 14 of units at McGuire Air Force Base, nearby Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst, the Air Mobility Warfare Center here, as well as

  • New legislation facilitates Total Force

    When President George W. Bush signed the 2007 National Defense Authorization Act into law Oct. 17, important clarifications were made regarding Title 10 and 32, the laws governing the legal distinctions between the armed forces of the United States and the armed forces of the National Guard and

  • TacSat-2 launched into space with flawless liftoff

    Successfully launched onboard a Minotaur I rocket, the TacSat-2 spacecraft has commenced operations on a planned six to 12-month experimental mission Dec. 16 from the NASA's Wallops Island Flight Facility near Wallops Island, Va. Within minutes after leaving the launch pad, the micro satellite,

  • Spectrum Summit focuses on warfighters' communication needs

    Servicemembers on patrols and convoy missions in Iraq and Afghanistan sometimes have to choose between having access to radios to call in close-air support if they need it or to call for jammers to disable improvised explosive devices they encounter along the route. That is a decision troops

  • Air War College receives joint Phase II certification

    Air War College, the Air Force's senior service school, located at Air University here, received Joint Staff J-7's recommendation for Joint Professional Military Education Phase II certification at the culmination of a visit by a certification assessment team in late November. The recommendation

  • Secretary Wynne visits Aviano

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne visited Aviano AB Dec. 5 and spoke to base members about issues affecting today's Airmen. Some of the things Secretary Wynne discussed were Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century, deployments and the new cyber command. "I am capitalizing on the

  • Stepping out of the blue for Army green

    Change is good, as one Airman in the 16th Electronic Warfare Squadron here finds out as he changes from "Into the Blue" to "Army Strong." Senior Airman Mike Goldman, 16th EWS journeyman, will become Specialist Goldman Dec. 28, as he enlists into the Army through the "Operation Blue to Green"

  • Science, engineering, technology achievements lauded

    Air Force officials recognized the service's top performers in science, engineering and technology during an awards banquet at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Award winners received a plaque and a certificate recognizing their

  • Air Force training makes Airmen safer, more aware

    Staff Sgt. Jason Lowery knows that preparing for combat duty is something many Airmen do not know much about. But training Airmen to be safer and more aware of the dangers they face around the world is not a new concept. Air Force Combat Skills Training is just the newest method of providing today's

  • Academy conducts Commandant's Challenge 2006

    The Air Force Academy cadet wing completed the annual Commandant's Challenge here Nov. 19. The three-day challenge was their culminating fall semester training event. The training event serves as the cadet wing's operational readiness inspection and tests leadership skills, physical fitness and

  • USAFE commander reviews past year in command

    Allied and coalition relationships, operations south and east, Airmen's accomplishments and improving efficiency were at the forefront during the U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander's Nov. 20 discussion of the past year in command. Since Gen. William T. Hobbins took command Dec. 5, he has traveled

  • Maintainers turn Rivet Joint

    A sergeant sits at the end of a table reviewing maintenance records. In the background, Airmen play video games as a college football game blares on a television. The call that the RC-135 Rivet Joint is 30 minutes out comes down, and in an instant everyone drops what they are doing. It's time to

  • Nellis kicks off first Aggressor 101 class

    Thirty-five new Air Force "aggressors" graduated Nov. 17 from the first Aggressor 101 training course conducted by the 57th Adversary Tactics Group here. The two-week course provides a baseline understanding of the aggressor mission and philosophy, 57th Wing and 57th ATG organization, and threat

  • New aggressor units expand training capabilities

    Unit changes at Nellis and Eielson Air Force bases have resulted in two wings that, together, create better opportunities for Air Force pilots to train for combat against potential adversaries. In January, the 65th Aggressor Squadron was reactivated under the 57th Adversary Tactics Group at Nellis