Virginia Guard unit begins integrating with fighter wing

He wears a battle dress uniform and looks just like any other maintainer working on a F-22 Raptor, but this Airman is very different from most others in the 27th Aircraft Maintenance Unit here. He is paid by the hour, reports to a different supervisor and has a 70-mile commute to and from Richmond

KC-135s serve as enablers providing air bridges

Their mission is critical to the global war on terrorism. They perform maintenance for the KC-135 Stratotankers that enable U.S. and coalition aircraft to sustain flight and take the fight to the enemy. Stratotanker maintainers are the keys to the KC-135’s success in supporting Operation Enduring

Kunsan units deploy to Singapore

More than 70 Airmen from the 80th Fighter Squadron and 80th Aircraft Maintenance Unit deployed from Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, March 2 for Operation Commando Sling. The month-long deployment, involving joint warfare operations between the U.S. Air Force and its Singapore counterparts, will

Air Force completes negotiations with St. Louis County Port Authority

The Air Force has completed negotiations with the St. Louis County Port Authority for the transfer of 39 acres in the Lemay community of St. Louis. The property, once home to the National Imagery Mapping Agency, was declared excess to the federal government by the General Services Administration in

Keesler infrastructure continues to improve after Katrina

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, people here don’t take things like electricity, drinking water, housing, offices and plumbing for granted. Thanks to a team effort, each day brings improvements in base infrastructure, facilities and utilities, as the base braces for the next hurricane season.

Five wings compete in 'Tanker Winter Games'

Five 18th Air Force KC-135 wings came together for the first “Tanker Winter Games” here Feb. 23 through 26. Crews from McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., Robins AFB, Ga., MacDill AFB, Fla., Fairchild AFB, Wash., and here gathered not only for some friendly competition, but also for a chance to learn

Guard rescue wing still making mark on history

Amid the quiet picturesque towns sprinkled across Long Island, N.Y., are more than 800 Airmen who are a part of history. They are the men and women of the 106th Rescue Wing -- a unit that battled the “Perfect Storm,” witnessed the TWA Flight 800 disaster, supported response efforts after the

CENTAF releases daily airpower summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary.Coalition aircraft flew 56 close-air-support missions March 2 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt

Airmen learn desert survival from SERE

 What would you do if you got stuck in the desert? Twenty Airmen with the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing found out when the Kuwait Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape team -- better known as SERE -- taught a one-day desert survival class in February. Tech. Sgt. Joshua Anderson and Senior Airman

Test wing shadows test-firing of Tomahawk cruise missile

Using both of Eglin Air Force Base’s water and land test ranges, a Navy Tomahawk cruise missile was launched in February from the USS Boise, a Los Angeles-class submarine under way in the Gulf of Mexico. Seconds after launch, the Tomahawk transitioned to cruise flight. It flew a fully guided

Commander declares 2006 ‘Rebirth of SMC’

Stressing processes, partnerships and people, the Space and Missile Systems Center commander told about 100 Aerospace Corporation employees they play a vital role in the “rebirth of SMC” and continued mission success. Lt. Gen. Michael A. Hamel spoke Feb. 16 as part of The Aerospace Corporation’s

Civil engineers do their part in rebuilding Iraq

Civil engineers wage the war on terrorism by stepping outside the wire and bringing the fight into the streets. They are the only Air Force unit in Iraq who come with armored dump trucks, excavators and concrete, repairing the many craters pitting the roads in Kirkuk and surrounding area. The

More personnel actions available online

Like MyPay and LeaveWeb before, the Air Force is bringing even more military personnel flight actions online. The process, called personnel services delivery transformation, takes effect March 31, and will encompass even more options than those of the Virtual MPF site already on the Internet. “We’re

Air Force football schedule released

A visit to Falcon Stadium by Notre Dame Nov. 11, a season-opening game at national power Tennessee Sept. 9 and conference home games against BYU, Colorado State, New Mexico and Utah highlight the Air Force football schedule, released March 2 by the Mountain West Conference. The Falcons sandwich the

CENTAF releases daily airpower summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary.Coalition aircraft flew 50 close-air-support missions March 1 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt

Preparing for a contingency

General Scott, “God Is My Co-Pilot” author, dead at 97

Brig. Gen. Robert L. Scott Jr., World War II fighter ace and author of the 1943 book “God Is My Co-Pilot” has died. The general passed away Feb. 27 in Warner Robins after a stroke. He was 97. Though the general retired from the Air Force in 1957, for the following decades he continued to serve the

Guard tests world’s first multi-person rescue basket

An Air National Guard rescue unit successfully tested the world’s first multi-person rescue basket, a cage-like device that, once certified, can carry up to 15 people. “We really could have used this after hurricanes Katrina and Rita,” said Lt. Col. Brad Sexton, a program manager in the Air National

President Bush makes surprise visit to troops in Afghanistan

President George W. Bush and the First Lady, Laura Bush, made a surprise visit here March 1 to remind troops their mission in Afghanistan is still an important fight in the global war on terrorism. “You are fighting an enemy and bringing them to justice so they won’t hurt our fellow citizens again,”

Big leap forward in detecting ground targets from cosmos

When launched in 2010, a football-field-in-length demonstrator radar antenna, weighing more than 5 tons, will serve as the forerunner for the future of America's intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets in space. Administered by the Air Force Research Laboratory's Space Vehicles

Maintainers prepare for Raptor

The F-22A Raptor's unequaled capabilities bring some unique challenges to Air Force maintainers here. Not the least of which is gearing up a support machine to handle the maintenance workload when the first Raptors arrive for modifications in April. About 18 of the 21st century fighter aircraft will

Air Force announces preferred F-22A locations

The Air Force's preferred alternatives for the third and fourth operational F-22A beddowns are Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., and Hickam AFB, Hawaii, said Gen. T. Michael Moseley, Air Force chief of staff, today . “Although we must still complete the environmental analyses required under the

Protein study a real eye opener

Warfighters will never have the ability to leap tall buildings in a single bound, but a specialized whey protein supplement under study here could enhance mental and physical performance. A double-blind Air Force Research Laboratory study was launched Feb. 3 as part of an operational readiness

Bird flu -- fact and fiction

A global outbreak of disease -- that is what many people think when they hear the words “bird flu.” But is it really the next pandemic or just fowl play? Properly named avian influenza, this virus has spurred global awareness and growing concerns about the possibility of the virus mutating into a

U.S. Men's National Soccer Team

Ramstein Airmen train Iraqis to fly, fix C-130s

Ramstein Airmen deployed to Iraq to train Iraqis on the C-130 Hercules aircraft -- standing up the first Iraqi airlift squadron under the country’s new regime. A Ramstein pilot, navigator and enlisted maintainers deployed from August through January to train their Iraqi counterparts to fly and

Special operations focus of senior leader discussion

Senior leaders from the U.S. Special Operations Command and the Air Force Air Staff met recently to discuss the role of airpower in special operations. The talks involved 16 senior leaders, including Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley and Army Gen. Bryan Brown, commander of SOCOM. The

CENTAF releases daily airpower summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary.Coalition aircraft flew 56 close-air-support missions Feb. 28 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt

Flightline access goes high-tech

Security measures have soared to new levels since the global war on terrorism began. The nation and most of the world has seen everything from expanded intelligence and law enforcement capabilities to bolstered transportation security and airline passenger screening. While the Department of Homeland

No typical day for OSI agents

For many people, the three letters “O-S-I” conjure up images of intrigue, adventures, glamour and risk. However, for agents assigned to the Office of Special Investigations, the federal-level investigative service represents long days, serious work and countless hours of writing. “In a deployed

Tiger team tackles operational security violations

A couple of Airmen sat in the base food court chatting about their return to the United States the next day. Excited to be going home, they compared flight times. Meanwhile, 3 feet away, a third-country national took mental notes. He knew someone who would pay for flight information. The aircraft

First deployed civilian sexual assault response coordinator arrives in region

Airmen already know the pace here is much different than home. “Frenetic” is the word Donna Rathbun uses to describe the operations tempo on base. “The mission is always in the forefront,” she said. “There isn’t time for outside distractions or mistakes. Airmen are working long hours, and there’s

Air Force vision embraces warfighters, heritage

Heritage, future innovations and focus on the joint warfighter are three key points in the newly released Air Force Vision document, “Lasting Heritage…Limitless Horizons: A Warfighter’s Vision.” This vision document, released to Airmen worldwide Feb. 28, replaces the older “Vision 2020” version,

CENTAF releases daily airpower summary

U.S Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary.Coalition aircraft flew 48 close-air-support missions Feb. 27 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt

Vehicle operators return home after teaming with Army

Seven vehicle operators with the 92nd Logistics Readiness Squadron returned to work Feb. 21 after driving the war-ravaged roads of Iraq for nearly six months. “We were the last medium to light (Air Force-operated) gun trucks solely responsible for providing security to convoys,” Staff Sgt. Scott

U.S. military brings cheer to children’s home

Christmas came in February for the Children’s Home of the Immaculate Heart of Mary as about 20 members of the U.S. and Philippine military brought smiles and gifts with them Feb. 26. Located outside Clark Air Base, the home is for abandoned girls 6 to 16. The servicemembers, participating in

Advertising team spotlights special ops

An aircrew displays teamwork while firing 105 mm artillery from their gunship at night. Special operators freefall toward Earth at terminal velocity. Battlefield Airmen descend from hovering helicopters by rope, pilot small unmanned aerial vehicles and call for close air support. The Air Force’s

Program speeds up complaint processes

Air Force officials here recently extended an Equal Employment Opportunity pilot program from 31 test bases to all installations worldwide. The program, called the Compressed Orderly Rapid Equitable process, or CORE, focuses on cutting EEO’s case-processing time. In conjunction with the General

Total force in action with Predator operations

The U.S. Air Force Warfare Center’s implementation of total force initiatives continues as more Guard and Reserve members integrate into Predator operations here. In an Air Force first, the center selected Reserve Lt. Col. John Breeden, to command the 11th Reconnaissance Squadron, one of three

Acquisition career track may be redirected

Bringing more engineers into the Air Force acquisition career field is a priority for Air Force Materiel Command's top officer. Gen. Bruce Carlson, AFMC commander, discussed this topic and other issues with 170 people attending the 2006 U.S. Air Force Acquisition Leaders Forum. The event was held in

CENTAF releases combined airpower summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for Feb. 25 to 27. Coalition aircraft flew 54 close-air-support missions Feb. 26 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to

Relief mission tests Hickam's new capability

Flying a “loaner” C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, a mixed active-duty and Guard aircrew flew the 15th Airlift Wing’s first contingency response mission. The aircraft, from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., flew relief supplies to Clark Air Base, Philippines, Feb. 22. It was the first time a mixed crew

Joint STARS keeping eye on the ground

High over Iraq, an E-8C Joint STARS aircraft surveys hundreds of miles of the country at a time, looking for insurgent activity, controlling those situations and taking action if needed. The aircraft's crew ultimately keeps ground troops safer by communicating with convoys and directing air power to

Philippine relief mission provides hands-on training

A C-17 Globemaster III from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., along with an aircrew from here, delivered relief supplies to Clark Air Base, Philippines, Feb. 22. The village of Guinsaugon, on the Philippine Island of Leyte, was hit by a killer 100-foot deep mudslide Feb. 21. Filipino officials fear

One team, one fight

While most Airmen here are on 15-month or two-year tours, one cog in the base mission has new faces every 30 days. Members of the 90th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron support operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom by refueling C-17 Globemaster IIIs on missions to Afghanistan and Iraq.

Medical group helping keep 'boots on the ground'

Airmen are maintaining the health of troops and helping the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing meets its mission -- put “boots on the ground” and support the aeromedical evacuation of sick and injured servicemembers. The 386th Expeditionary Medical Group does this key mission with the help of its medical

CENTAF releases daily airpower summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary.Coalition aircraft flew 56 close-air-support missions Feb. 23 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt

Training center uses combat lessons to evolve

Security forces in Europe are preparing for deployment to war zones with an up-to-date curriculum. The mission of the 786th Security Forces Squadron’s regional training center, otherwise known as "Creek Defender," is to provide predeployment integrated base defense training for U.S. Air Forces in

Airmen help secure Iraq’s infrastructure

Forty percent of Iraq’s oil and 14 percent of the world’s oil supply comes from Kirkuk, Iraq. Since oil is the lifeline of Iraq, it’s important to secure the country’s pipelines from danger and help make the oil run as efficiently as possible. That’s where the three-man POInT team comes in.Tech.

Coalition mercy missions: Bringing heroes home

The thunder of the C-130 Hercules engine vibrates through the cabin as the aircraft lifts off of the runway. Today’s mission is different than most. Today, Australians and Americans leave pallets and passengers behind, making room to gather the wounded and bring them back home. Affectionately called

Keeping Tuzla’s airfield operational

There was a time in the late 1990s when Tuzla Air Base was crawling with hundreds of Airmen. As times changed, the duty of airfield maintenance has increasingly moved into the hands of contractors, but the Air Force still has a presence at the base. While the majority of the U.S. military presence

EOD Airmen remove, detonate World War II-era bomb

Explosive ordnance disposal Airmen with the 16th Civil Engineer Squadron destroyed a World War II-era explosive device found in Pensacola. The 100-pound photo-flash bomb, common to the World War II or Korean War period, was found by construction workers Feb. 14 clearing storm debris in the waters of

Insurgent to ambassador: Journal editor tells harrowing tale

When Algerian-born Remy Mauduit, editor of the new French edition of the Air and Space Power Journal, sees terrorism and insurgency taking place in Iraq, he recalls a time when he, too, was an insurgent. Life was not good for Algerian citizens in the early 1950s. After French colonization, native

Botswana Defense Force learns about warehouse management

Five members of the Botswana Defense Force, or BDF, visited Ramstein last week to learn about the Air Force’s warehouse management procedures and operations. The 435th Logistics Readiness Squadron hosted the visit, touring the group through the base’s inbound cargo sections, receiving section,

International students receive eye-opening glimpse of America

Twenty-one international pilots in training here visited Atlanta Feb. 18 to 20 for a glimpse into America’s history and culture. Maj. William Hendrickson, base international liaison officer, organized the trip to expose the international military members to a side of American culture not locally

CENTCOM releases daily airpower summary

U.S Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary.Coalition aircraft flew 56 close-air-support missions Feb. 22 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt

Merger forms Career Enlisted Aircrew Center of Excellence

Enlisted aviator ground schools for seven different specialties are moving here to create the Career Enlisted Aircrew Center of Excellence. The move will provide better and quicker academic training at less cost, said Mark Smith, training manager and aircrew pipeline manager for the 344th Training

Operational Raptors fire first missiles in evaluation program

The 27th Fighter Squadron made history when two F-22A Raptor pilots fired air-to-air missiles Feb. 14. It was the jet's first official air-to-air weapons system evaluation since becoming operational two months ago.Nearly 40 Airmen from the Langley Air Force Base, Va., squadron participated in the

Wilford Hall chosen for national study

The vascular surgery service at Wilford Hall Medical Center has been chosen to participate in a national trial looking at the effectiveness of stent graft treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms versus standard open repair. The trial has been named PIVOTAL, which stands for the Positive Impact of

AFNORTH activates at Tyndall

First Air Force took on a second designation here Feb. 15 as part of the Air Force’s ongoing development of the warfighting headquarters. Air Forces Northern, or AFNORTH, became 1st Air Force’s provisional moniker under Air Combat Command. It is part of the Air Force’s move to redesignate 10

Reserve and Guard run deployed personnel ops

Guard and Reserve members provide many support roles in Personnel Support in Contingency Operations, or PERSCO, around the region. However, this rotation, Reserve component servicemembers comprise more than 95 percent of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing PERSCO team. “We’re not sure why it happened

Readiness troops equip combat-ready PACAF Airmen

Ensuring the serviceability and availability of more than 400,000 pieces of mobility equipment daily might be a daunting task. But for logistics Airmen providing the correct gear for combat-ready Pacific Air Force troops in training and real-world deployments, it is one of the most rewarding jobs in

CENTAF releases daily airpower summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary. Coalition aircraft flew 36 close-air-support missions Feb. 21 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt

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

Deployed wing counts down to ‘The Move’

The next time Airmen from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing pack their bags, it will not be to return home. Instead they will travel to a new home right here. That home is the Temporary Cantonment Area, or TCA. As construction progresses at the TCA, base leadership scheduled April as the month “to

DOD identifies Airmen killed in helicopter crash

The Defense Department has announced the names of two Airmen and eight Marines killed in a Feb. 17 helicopter crash while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Ten servicemembers died when two CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopters crashed into the Gulf of Aden near Ras Siyyan in northern Djibouti, while

Academy to hold leadership symposium

"Courage in The Face of Adversity” is highlighted by the personal stories of a holocaust survivor, the commander of the successful return of the Apollo 13 mission, a terrorist survivor, two NFL head coaches, the only deaf Miss America and an Air Force Chief of Staff during the 13th Annual National

CENTAF releases combined airpower summary

U.S Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for Feb. 18 to 21.Coalition aircraft flew 32 close-air-support missions Feb. 20 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations

Global Hawk UAV welcomed home after three-year deployment

After supporting the global war on terror for three years, Global Hawk Unmanned Aerial Vehicle No. 3 (UAV-3) received its official homecoming Feb. 20 when its wheels touched down at 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.During its overseas deployment, UAV-3 logged more than 4,800

Airmen provide vital support in mudslide relief effort

Airmen from the 36th Expeditionary Contingency Response Group here are working alongside the Filipino government to assess requirements for support of mudslide relief efforts in Leyte, Philippines. At the request of the Filipino government, the 36th ECRG and other units of the U.S. Pacific Command

Airmen at Philippine exercise provide real world assistance

Airmen from Yokota Air Base, Japan; Andersen Air Force Base, Guam; and Kadena AB, Japan, who were in the Philippines as part of an annual bilateral exercise, are providing real-world humanitarian assistance after mudslides engulfed a village and 1,800 people Feb. 17. U.S. Pacific Command authorized

Medical group keeps warfighters in fight

The 379th Expeditionary Medical Group Hospital provides medical care impacting missions well beyond its boundaries, helping warfighters stay in the fight in-theater. Minor shrapnel and gunshot wounds often prevent a soldier from staying in theater while they recover, so they come this hospital to

Global Hawk UAV returns to America

The Edwards flightline is the scheduled return landing site for Prototype Global Hawk Air Vehicle No. 3, an unmanned aircraft that has flown 4,245 hours in support of combat operations for Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and the Combined Task Force-Horn of Africa mission. This

Air Force women help save convoy

The lives of four women and their convoy team changed forever Dec. 5. They were ambushed that night. Insurgents from a village outside of Balad Air Base, Iraq, fired on the convoy, injuring two as they drove back to the base. Airman First Class Nicole O’Hara, a convoy gunner deployed from Langley

USAFE assists Darfur mission

U.S. Air Forces in Europe and U.S. European Command are providing contract airlift transport to Rwandan Defense Forces as part of the African Union's mission in the Darfur region of the Sudan. A small number of USAFE Airmen from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, are providing logistics support to the

CENTAF releases daily airpower summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials release today's airpower summary.Coalition aircraft flew 42 close-air-support missions Feb. 16 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt

Group sews globally for wounded troops

The electronic age has helped give birth to a global sewing circle that creates unique clothing for America's wounded troops as they heal. With an executive director in Ohio, a president in Minnesota and more than 300 seamstresses scattered throughout the world, the members of "Sew Much Comfort" use

Bolling Airmen share Valentine’s Day with veterans

Ninety Air Force and civilian volunteers from Bolling and the Pentagon visited the Department of Veterans Affairs Maryland Health Care System Medical Center in Baltimore and the Baltimore VA Rehabilitation Center Feb. 14 as part of National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week. Before the trip,

Going virtual: Flight training takes shape in cyberspace

How do you get 30 bases, hundreds of personnel and tons of aircraft and equipment together in one place? The answer -- cyberspace. For the second time since its conception in September, aircrews from the 23rd Fighter Group stepped into a simulated exercise called Virtual Red Flag. The virtual war

Operation Winter Games -- Let the games begin

Not long after the Olympic torch was lit honoring the beginning of the Winter Olympics games in Torino, Italy, a local team of Airmen were preparing for winter games of their own -- Operation Winter Games. The games, held Feb. 11 at Igriste-Vlasenica Ski Area, Bosnia, may have lacked the pomp and

Rescue wing featured on outdoor network

The 106th Rescue Wing will be featured on the Outdoor Life Network Feb. 17. The episode of “The Best and Worst of Tred Barta” originally aired Jan. 27. The Air National Guard wing from the Long Island, N.Y., area has been performing rescue missions since 1975. After Hurricane Katrina, they rescued

CENTAF releases daily airpower summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary.Coalition aircraft flew 40 close-air-support missions Feb. 15 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt

Minuteman III launches from Vandenberg

An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM, was launched from Launch Facility-10 on North Vandenberg at 12:01 a.m. today. The launch was part of a test to demonstrate the ability to integrate modified products into existing weapon systems. “The purpose of the flight was to

Deployed fuels flight makes airlift delivery

When fuel supplies are not available in the region, tactical and ground forces rely on the 379th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron. A team is always on standby to fulfill an aerial bulk fuels delivery system request. The team consists of two fuels technicians who have undergone special

Forces prepare for Exercise Balikatan 2006

U.S. servicemembers and Armed Forces of the Philippines are in the final week of preparations for Exercise Balikatan 2006, the 22nd annual bilateral combined exercise, scheduled Feb. 20 to March 5. The exercise will be conducted in three phases: humanitarian and civic assistance on the island of

Twelfth Air Force becomes Air Forces Southern

Headquarters 12th Air Force is taking on an expanded mission and a new name. As part of the Air Force transformation, 12th Air Force transitions today into a warfighting headquarters and became Air Forces Southern (12th Air Force) provisional. “Along with the name change AFSOUTH is also changing its

CENTAF releases daily airpower summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary. Coalition aircraft flew 40 close-air-support missions Feb. 14 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt

Anti-terrorism techniques essential

When Lt. Col. Ed O’Neal was on a training mission in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, two years ago, his hotel came under attack. A group of insurgents took over the building and held it hostage for most of the day before authorities were able to regain control. Colonel O’Neal eventually escaped, but was shot

Cyber crime investigators search for truth

Tech. Sgt. Jeff Barefoot has a strong presence in the courtroom. Three times he's stepped up to testify in court, and three times the defendants suddenly took a plea deal to avoid Sergeant Barefoot on the witness stand. Not because of his imposing stature or his 20 years of military experience, but

Command post: commander's eyes, ears

The 380th Air Expeditionary Wing’s command post Airmen have one of the most important areas in the area of responsibility to track. With four controllers and a superintendent covering around-the-clock operations this group is ready for anything. “We are the nerve center for the base in this war

Hawaii-based Airmen fight war on terror

Airmen here are working on the front lines of the war on terror. When a Predator unmanned aerial vehicle takes off from Balad Air Base, Iraq, a pilot at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., takes control of it. Images from the Predator’s camera are then fed to one of five distributed ground stations, or

Air Force announces top civil engineer units

The Air Force has announced the winners of the 2005 Society of American Military Engineers Maj. Gen. Robert H. Curtin Award. The award is presented annually to the top Air Force civil engineer unit in three categories. The winner in the small unit category is the 314th Civil Engineer Squadron,

Prototype Global Hawk flies home after 4,000 combat hours

A high-flying prototype “Airman” is heading home after being deployed more than four years and flying 4,245 hours supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and the Combined Task Force-Horn of Africa. Global Hawk Air Vehicle No. 3 began its journey back home at Edwards Air Force

CENTAF releases combined airpower summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for Feb. 13 to 14.Coalition aircraft flew 37 close-air-support missions Feb. 13 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter

Manpower agency activates four new squadrons

The Air Force Manpower Agency activated four new manpower squadrons to more effectively meet the needs of today’s expeditionary Air Force and to better position itself to support future capabilities. The 5th Manpower Requirements Squadron at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., and the 4th MRS at Buckley

International affairs specialists to enter training pipeline

The Air Force recently selected 87 officers out of more than 400 volunteers to become its first class of international affairs specialists. Those officers will enter training this summer to become either Political-Military Affairs Strategists, or PAS, or Regional Affairs Strategists, or RAS. The

Groups combine resources, give troops valentines

Two organizations have teamed up to send valentines to troops in Baghdad in an effort made possible by "America Supports You." Since November 2004, the Defense Department program to facilitate grassroots and corporate support for the nation's troops has worked to bond supporters, using a combination

CENTAF releases combined airpower summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for Feb. 11 to 12. Coalition aircraft flew 37 close-air-support missions Feb. 11 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to

Air Force team wins NFL Military Challenge

In an event sponsored by the National Football League, the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy battled it out in six events that comprise the NFL Military Challenge Feb. 10. The Air Force team, made up of Hickam Air Force Base balers, took top honors, using overtime to capture the trophy.

Providing ‘red carpet’ service, without the carpet

Day and night they arrive -- four-star generals, ambassadors. congressional leaders and even Vice President Dick Cheney. Whether they stop for a formal visit or are here en route to another location, a two-person protocol team is there to greet them with a salute and a smile. “We are the first