Intrepid Spirit Center opens at Eglin AFB

Eglin Air Force Base’s Intrepid Spirit Center, the first on an Air Force base, is a treatment center dedicated to post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, associated pain conditions and psychological injuries in active-duty service members.

Introducing BRAVO: A hackathon series for Air Force, industry

A hackathon is an innovation event commonly employed by security communities and technology companies, in which teams self-form and develop working prototypes urgently in response to challenges often accompanied with data.

Introducing the ‘unnamed conspirator’

As part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a briefing was held April 18 here, to help educate Airmen on the impact of sexual assault across the service and the nation, and how they can get involved in the fight to change the culture that supports it.

Introducing the 908th Airlift Wing’s Program Integration Office

The 908th Airlift Wing at Maxwell Air Force Base said goodbye to its aging C-130H Hercules aircraft as it begins the transition to providing MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter training; bringing together AETC, AFGSC and AFRC for the first time.

Introducing the new 908th AW MVPs

Following the July 2022 Unit Training Assembly, the 908th Airlift Wing at Maxwell Air Force Base announced its new mission, vision and priorities.

Introductory flight training undergoing changes

The introductory flight training program that prepares pilot candidates for specialized undergraduate pilot training will decrease from 50 to 25 hours next fall. The transitional program will bridge the change from the current introductory program to a new program called initial flight screening.

Invention makes moving patients safer

Air Force and civilian engineers have developed a non-sparking electrical outlet for a frequency converter making aeromedical evacuations safer and easier.Engineers from the 311th Human Systems Program Office’s aeromedical test branch here began working on the new converter because of potential

Inventory boost cuts down repair turnaround times

A $10 million addition to the 379th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron parts inventory is allowing quicker turnaround on repairs to aircraft, vehicles and aerospace ground equipment. "The additional inventory will increase the timeliness of repairs and reduce the number of multimillion

Inventory management gears up for process improvements

Maximizing weapons system availability and performance means smart management of safety levels and inventories. To do this, Air Force officials strive to optimize inventory levels and cost without sacrificing support to the warfighting commanders. "Based upon the fact that we are maintaining systems

Investigation board determines cause of KC-135 crash in May

Air Mobility Command has released the results of an accident investigation that examined what caused the May 3, 2013, crash of a KC-135 Stratotanker in the Kyrgyz Republic. The crew of three, en route from the Transit Center at Manas to Afghanistan on a combat aerial refueling mission, perished in

Investigation complete, clears former Air Force Acquisitions, Logistics leader

Air Force officials confirmed Richard Lombardi, the former senior acquisition official in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, was cleared of any intentional conflict of interest following a self-reported ethics matter in February 2016.

Investigation continues in academy cheating incident

The number of cases under investigation in a recent cheating incident at the U.S. Air Force Academy has increased from 37 to 39 since last week. The incident, which came to light in early February, involves cheating on a Fourth Class Knowledge Test. Of the 39 cases, 27 cadets have admitted to

Investigation continues into collision in Kyrgyzstan

A safety investigation board has convened to determine the cause of a collision between a Kyrgyz TU-154 passenger plane and an Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker on the airfield at Manas International Airport Sept. 26. "Our primary concern was for the safety of the passengers and crew of both aircraft,"

Investigation determines cause of T-1A accident

Air Force officials completed their investigation of an accident where a T-1A Jayhawk ran off the runway Aug. 16 after landing at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. The accident caused an estimated $2.5 million in structural damage to the aircraft.Accident investigation board officials determined the

Investigation finds engine failure caused Predator crash

Engine failure caused the crash of an MQ-1B Predator remotely piloted aircraft Jan. 17, at a forward location in Southwest Asia, according to an Accident Investigation Board report released by Air Combat Command today. The $4.16 million Predator, assigned to the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron at

Investigation leads to indictments

The Defense Department’s inspector general announced July 18 criminal indictments against two former Boeing Co. managers.Joseph E. Schmitz said that a joint investigation by officials from the Defense Criminal Investigative Service and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations resulted in the

Investigation nabs 30 Air Force spice users

In April,  the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Det. 114 here completed a two-month Spice-use investigation that resulted in the identification of 30 Airmen. The Airmen, who are assigned to six units within Air Force Materiel Command, Air Combat Command and Air Force Space Command, have

Investigation report findings released

The U.S. Central Command recently completed its commander-directed investigation on causes surrounding a fratricide incident which resulted in the death of five U.S. Army soldiers and an Afghan National Army soldier, June 9, 2014, in the vicinity of Arghandab, Afghanistan.

Investing in energy conservation expected to save millions

More than a dozen Energy Conservation Investment Program projects will soon break ground Air Force-wide and are expected to save the Air Force more than $4 million a year. The Fiscal 2009 Military Construction appropriation to the Office of the Secretary of Defense provided $22.6 million for ECIP

Invictus Games come to a close, US places in team events

Roughly 26,000 people showed up to give the inaugural Invictus Games an enormous sendoff and pay final respect to all the athletes involved here Sept. 14.

Invictus Games kick off with opening ceremony

More than 5,000 people attended the Invictus Games’ opening ceremony Sept. 10, on the South Lawn of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, here.

Invictus Games: Airman takes silver in powerlifting

A retired Air Force staff sergeant took silver in the heavyweight powerlifting category here Sept. 14, in the final day of competition at the inaugural Invictus Games.

Invictus Games: USA Team wins first wheelchair rugby match

The United States used their team speed to jump all over the Australians, scoring a goal within the first minute of the match. They managed to maintain that pace through the first half, holding a 7-1 lead at halftime.

Invisible Wounds

Our military members are the best trained and well-equipped in the world, and can take on every enemy, except for the one within. Quite simply, we’ve got to start talking to each other, and asking tough questions.

Invisible wounds: Finding a voice

Air Force leadership and wounded warriors came together to speak out on invisible wounds during a panel discussion at this year’s Air Force Association Air, Space and Cyber Conference, Sept. 18, 2017.

Involuntary phase for NCO retraining program begins

Airmen identified as required to retrain must submit a retraining application by Jan. 15 or separate from the Air Force under Phase II of the Air Force Fiscal 2007 Noncommissioned Officer Retraining Program. After meeting the Jan. 15 deadline, Phase II eligibles must choose an Air Force specialty

Ionospheric forecasts improve warfighter communication efficiency

During specific times of the year over the Earth's equatorial region, turbulence in the ionosphere, known as scintillation, causes extended degradation for Department of Defense navigation and communication satellites.  But a sensor package installed at each of 14 locations worldwide has helped

Iowa air refueling wing supports NATO

This month, members of the Iowa Air National Guard's 185th Air Refueling Wing based in Sioux City, Iowa, are refueling NATO Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft while assigned to NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany.

Iowa KC-135E retires as 'snow bird' in Arizona

Iranian threat justifies missile defense, general says

Iran's launch of a missile with a 2,000-kilometer range last week is a concrete example of the threat the world faces from missile proliferation, the chief of the Missile Defense Agency said here July 16. Lt. Gen. Henry A. "Trey" Obering, said the United States is concerned specifically about the

Iraq Campaign to Get Tougher as Troops Approach Baghdad

U.S. and coalition forces have made great gains so far during Operation Iraqi Freedom, but the going will likely get harder in coming days.Air Force Gen. Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, delivered that message today on the Fox News Sunday television show."Anybody who thinks this

Iraq Defense Attaché visits Columbus AFB, helps strengthen international relations

Iraqi Staff Brig. Gen. Mustafa Al Bayati, Iraq Defense Attaché, spoke with instructor pilots, Airmen and senior leaders at Columbus Air Force Base, Jan. 18.

Iraq deployment opportunities open to federal civilians

The Department of Defense needs DOD civilian volunteers to serve with the Department of State's provincial reconstruction teams in Iraq. The PRTs are designed to promote security and economic development in Iraq and assist the Iraqi people in rebuilding and administering their country. A foreign

Iraq drawdown on track, USTRANSCOM official says

From pens to Bradley fighting vehicles, 1.7 million pieces of military equipment have been moved out of Iraq so far, as the Dec. 31 deadline for U.S. forces to be out of Iraq approaches, a U.S. Transportation Command official said this week. "The mission is looking good," said Air Force Maj. John

Iraq flouting laws of war, Geneva Conventions

The Iraqi regime is flouting the laws of war and the Geneva Conventions, said Pentagon spokeswoman Victoria Clarke at the news conference today.Clarke said that the deceptions have been so blatant "that some liken it to terrorism.""They are sending forces out carrying white surrender flags or

Iraq launches missiles into Kuwait

Iraqi forces fired missiles at U.S. forces based in Kuwait, Defense Department officials said March 20.There are no reports of casualties.U.S. Central Command officials confirmed that Patriot missiles intercepted the rockets. It is unclear if the missiles contained chemical or biological agents,

Iraq makes first payment for 18 F-16s

The Iraqi government has transferred its first payment for 18 F-16C Fighting Falcons, bringing Iraq closer to independently securing its airspace, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said Sept 27."These aircraft will help provide air sovereignty for Iraq to protect its own territory and deter or

Iraq PRTs to double in number by year's end

Plans are under way to double the number of provincial reconstruction teams now operating in Iraq by the end of the year, a senior U.S. official said April 9. "We will both double the number of PRTs and we will double the number of individuals who are working in the PRTs," said Rick Olson, chief of

Iraq withdrawal agreement still stands, Mullen says

All American troops will be out of Iraq at the end of the year in accordance with the security agreement signed in 2008, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here today."There are no plans, nor has there been any request from the Iraqi government, for any residual U.S. force presence here

Iraq, Afghanistan airdrops reach all-time high

Resupplying U.S. and coalition forces on the ground is a critical logistical component of combat operations. Seven months into 2008, the Air Force has already supplied forces in Iraq and Afghanistan with more than 8.5 million pounds of goods. This surpasses the 2007 total and reaches an all-time

Iraq-based platelets travel to Afghanistan

The Air Force Theater Hospital platelet apheresis lab here began dispatching blood platelets to Afghanistan Oct. 14, 2009. The AFTH functions as the sole platelet provider in Iraq. Now, it is the first in-theater medical facility to send platelets collected in one operational area to another, said

Iraqi aeromedical evacuation capability continues to develop

Iraqi medical airmen took a step in the evolution of the air force as an effective fighting force Dec. 20 as they conducted an aeromedical evacuation mission from the Air Force Theater Hospital here to the 86th Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad. Three wounded patients, an Iraqi police officer and

Iraqi agency assumes full air traffic control at Baghdad airport

The Iraq Civil Aviation Authority assumed full control of daily air traffic operations at the Baghdad International Airport air traffic control tower Oct. 1.Before the transition to full Iraqi control, air traffic operations at BIAP were conducted by Iraqis and U.S. Airmen assigned to the 447th

Iraqi agency ready to take over civil aviation operations

The Iraqi civil aviation authority staff will independently conduct day-to-day civil aviation operations beginning Aug. 25 after Airmen of the Regional Air Movement Control Center helped direct the organization stationed here. The Regional Air Movement Control Center staff worked for more than half

Iraqi air chief sees son graduate U.S. Air Force pilot training

The top generals from the U.S. Air Force and Iraq Air Force united here March 9 to award silver wings to 23 of the countries' newest pilots. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Iraqi Air Force Commander Staff Lt. Gen. Anwer Hamad Amin Ahmad were the keynote speakers at the graduation

Iraqi Air Force Academy opens its doors

More than 150 cadets from around Iraq began class at the newly re-built Iraqi Air Force College here Sept. 1. The inaugural class's arrival was marked by an Iraqi C-130 aircraft, flown by Iraqi pilots, picking up the students from New Al Muthana Air Base, Baghdad, and transporting them to

Iraqi air force acquires advanced radar system

Iraqi air force officials advanced their air defense monitoring capabilities after a ceremony marked the transfer of a digital air surveillance radar from American control to Iraqi control Oct. 26 here. "Today, another historical day added to our brothers and the Iraqi air force," said Iraqi air

Iraqi air force acquires new aircraft from U.S. forces

U.S. forces transferred ownership of 11 aircraft to the Iraqi air force July 9 during a ceremony at New Al Muthana Air Base. Army Lt. Gen. Frank Helmick, commander of Multi-National Security Transition Command Iraq, signed over eight Cessna 172s and three Cessna Caravan 208s worth more than $9

Iraqi air force advance echelon team arrives

The Iraqi air force is one step closer to taking ownership of Joint Base Balad. A trio of officers and 11 enlisted airmen arrived May 15 to in-process here.The group is part of the advance echelon team of 60 Iraqi airmen projected to arrive. "It's truly a significant day for the Iraqi air force,"

Iraqi Air Force aerial porters load cargo like the best

In a small office space at Al Muthana Air Base, U.S. Air Force 370th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group air advisors and Iraqi airmen enjoy a small cup of tea together. Iraqi Air Force Col. Yossif Halo, the base air terminal operations center commander, sits with the team and casually highlights the

Iraqi air force assumes control of their C-130 operations

Iraqi air force officials officially began fully independent C-130 air operations Sept. 29, marking the end of the U.S. C-130 air advisory mission here. A ceremony deactivating the U.S. Air Force's 321st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron and marking assumption of C-130 operations, maintenance and

Iraqi air force attains tenfold increase in sorties

Iraq's air force, with help from a U.S. transition team, attained a tenfold increase in its number of weekly sorties and doubled the size of its fleet over the past year, a military official said today. Maj. Gen. Robert R. Allardice, commander of the Coalition Air Force Transition Team, said the

Iraqi air force brings ISR capabilities online

Intelligence collection has become a valuable capability for the Iraqi air force in its push to provide security and stability. Unique to the Iraqi air force, the King Air Squadron 87 here boasts the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities necessary for detecting and deterring

Iraqi air force builds ISR foundation with help from Airmen

The Iraqi air force is taking shape under the watchful guidance and support of Airmen. A team of air advisors from the Coalition Air Force Training Team, part of Multinational Security Transition Command - Iraq, has introduced current intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance technology to the

Iraqi air force capabilities continue to increase

The capabilities of the Iraqi air force continue to grow as they performed their first double patient transfer May 8 here. Two months the Iraqi air force conducted its first aeromedical transfer, a policeman transported from the American 28th Combat Support Hospital to an Iraqi treatment facility,

Iraqi Air Force celebrates 76th anniversary

The 76th anniversary of the Iraqi Air Force drew a crowd of approximately 100 distinguished visitors, guests and Iraqi and U.S. servicemembers to New Al Muthana Air Base in Baghdad, Iraq. The guests poured into the enormous C-130 Hercules hangar which was decorated with Iraqi flags, colorful

Iraqi Air Force College trains pilots and ground support officers

For future pilots and ground support officers, the gateway to Iraqi air power opened Sept. 1, 2010, at the Iraqi Air Force College here.There are 143 cadet pilots studying courses in avionics and aviation theory, along with geography, history, and an extensive core curriculum in the English

Iraqi air force F-16 training takes off in Arizona

While the Republic of Iraq anticipates an initial deliveryof F-16 Fighting Falcons in September 2014, the pilots who will fly themembark on a historic partnership with the Arizona Air National Guard's 162ndFighter Wing here to learn how to fly the multipurpose fighter.Already, two Iraqis have joined

Iraqi air force flying training school opens at Kikuk

The Iraqi air force flying training school opened its doors Oct. 1 and began to train Iraqi aviators with the assistance of American Airmen. The planning for the school has been in the works for approximately two years and is all part of the plan to return Kirkuk Air Base back to the Iraqi air

Iraqi air force graduates 247 cadets

More than 240 cadets graduated from the Iraqi air force officer course basic military training course Jan. 10, here.In the two-month course, the 247 graduates at Iraqi Military Academy-Rustamiyah were educated in professionalism, teamwork, management and the leadership skills required to be an

Iraqi Air Force graduates first craftsman maintenance technicians

The Iraqi Air Force certified their first 7-level craftsman C-130 Hercules maintenance technicians in a ceremony, December 27, 2017.

Iraqi Air Force history

Iraqi air force in the fight

Members of the Iraqi army walk to an Iraqi C-130 Hercules at New Al Muthana Air Base, Iraq, before a March 30 flight to Basra, Iraq. All processing, loading and transporting of Iraqi troops are being conducted by the Iraqi air force. The Iraqi air force airmen flew more than 45 C-130E and rotary

Iraqi air force leaders attend conference at Balad

Three Iraqi air force air staff generals and five representatives from different bases visited June 8 and 9 here to experience a U.S. Air Force base. Joint Base Balad was chosen to host the visit because it is the only base in Iraq that could provide the opportunity for Airmen to work with Iraqi

Iraqi air force leaders thank U.S advisers, celebrate 80th anniversary

U.S. Air Force and Iraqi officials opened a state-of-the-art air operations center here as the Iraqi air force celebrated its 80th anniversary April 21. The grand opening of a $9 million AOC at Hawk Base here kicked off a series of festivities celebrating the anniversary of the founding of Iraq's

Iraqi air force officials open 3 new facilities

Iraqi air force officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open three new facilities, including a communications building, a communications equipment facility and a medical clinic Dec. 11 here. Tech. Sgt. Amy Everhard, a New Al-Muthana Air Base Transition Team member, was on hand to assist with

Iraqi air force officials open new facilities at Ali Air Base

Iraqi air force officials opened new facilities and transferred Squadron 70 to Ali Air Base, Iraq, during a ceremony Nov. 23 here. The opening of these facilities and the Squadron 70 transfer is a milestone for the Iraqi air force on its way to securing the southern provinces, officials said."Today

Iraqi air force performs medical evacuation

May 14 marked another significant event when members of the Iraqi air force flew its first medical evacuation mission since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The crew consisted of an Iraqi pilot, flight medic and aerial gunner -- each with a U.S. military counterpart -- as they transported

Iraqi air force pilots conduct aeromedical mission

Iraqi airmen conducted an aeromedical evacuation mission from here Nov. 21, ferrying an Iraqi servicemember injured in combat from the Air Force Theater Hospital here to Forward Operating Base Gabe in Baqubah, Iraq. "Aeromedical evacuation is crucial to the viability of the Iraqi air force," said

Iraqi air force pilots take flight into history

The first three pilots graduated from Iraq's only fixed-wing flight training school at Kirkuk Regional Air Base Oct. 13. With cooperation from the Coalition Air Force Training Team and the 52nd Expeditionary Flying Training Squadron at Kirkuk Regional AB, the Iraqi training wing presented the new

Iraqi air force postured to break records

Iraqi air force members are making their mark in history. The fledging air power has proven its effectiveness through the execution of combat missions in Basrah, Mosul and Sadr City, and the year-to-date tally marks for aircraft sorties broke 5,000 last week. The IQAF has roughly 100 pilots assigned

Iraqi air force primed for power

More than 30 Iraqi service members graduated from an introductory power production course taught by U.S. service members here May 2.Through the course, the instructors taught the basics of running generators, enabling the Iraqi military to safely generate their own power. The students, who come from

Iraqi air force reaches 2,000-flying hour milestone

The Iraqi air force reached 2,000 flying training hours here July 13, with the help of Airmen from the 52nd Expeditionary Flying Training Squadron. The milestone comes 11 months after Lt. Col. Mark Bennett, the 52nd EFTS commander, arrived at Kirkuk. "This is very significant across the entire

Iraqi air force receives new aircraft

Iraqi Air Force receives three C130J aircraft

The Iraqi Air Force celebrated an important milestone when they received a third C-130J aircraft at a rollout ceremony held at Lockheed Martin's factory here Dec. 12, 2012.The ceremony is a culmination of many activities to reinforce a long-term partnership between the United States and Iraq and

Iraqi air force soars through U.S.-guided exercise

Members of the Coalition Air Force Training Team assigned to the 370th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron here have been training and mentoring Iraqi air force members in their functional areas for years. Recently, the 370th AEAS staff partnered with members of the 447th Air Expeditionary Group at

Iraqi air force Squadron 70 launches first mission from Ali Base

Members of the Iraqi air force Squadron 70 flew their first operational mission from here Oct. 25 to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support over the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.  The squadron relocated to here from Basra Air Base, Iraq, only one week earlier. In

Iraqi air force supports Mosul, other operations

Members of the Iraqi air force integrated and synchronized with Iraqi special forces in an effort to dissolve the al-Qaida in Iraq influence since early May in Mosul, Iraq. In less than two weeks, the Iraqi air force members have moved more than 3 tons of cargo and 251 passengers into Mosul using

Iraqi air force takes flight with help from U.S. Airmen

The Iraqi air force is taking off once again with the help of U.S. Air Force Airmen who serve with the Coalition Air Force Transition Team in Iraq. The U.S. Air Force's contribution to enabling the Iraqi air force to build and sustain itself is focused through the CAFTT, composed of four Air Force

Iraqi Air Force takes giant step forward

A fully certified aircrew takes flight and a single air base opens its gates. To Iraqi Airmen training alongside U.S. Airmen these feats represent giant steps toward independence and national security. Since November, the Air Force has taken on the mission of standing up the Iraqi Air Force,

Iraqi Air Force Training School graduates firefighters, officers

American Airmen helped the first 10 Iraqi firefighters graduate Dec. 11 and 28 more Iraqi officer candidates receive their diplomas and commissions as second lieutenants Dec. 10 at the Iraqi Air Force Training School here. The firefighter graduation marked another first in the milestones of

Iraqi aircrew flies milestone mission

The first all-Iraqi aircrew to fly a solo mission flew their C-130E Hercules on an airlift mission from Ali Air Base to New Al Muthana. The nine-member crew of the Iraqi Air Force’s 23rd Airlift Squadron flew the historic mission Nov. 28. The crew did an engine running on-load at New Al Muthana

Iraqi aircrew provides humanitarian relief after bombing

The Iraqi Air Force delivered humanitarian aid to Tal Afar, a community north of Mosul struck March 27 by an insurgent vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attack that killed 80 Iraqis, wounded 140 more, and destroyed more than 20 homes. "Al-Qaeda in Iraq elements once again displayed their

Iraqi airmen closer to controlling Taji Tower

 Working with civilian contractors, Airmen here are preparing Iraqi airmen for the eventual transfer of air traffic control operations."We currently have 16 Iraqi Air Force students involved in training at this time," said Staff Sgt. Shannon Grice, 321st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron air

Iraqi airmen fly record number of aircraft

Iraqi air force pilots flew a record number of aircraft during the annual Iraqi Army Day Parade Jan. 6 at the International Zone here. Iraqi crews piloted 20 aircraft in 12 fly-overs and aerial demonstrations over a parade field filled with government officials from allied nations and Iraqi

Iraqi airmen keep helicopter fleet flying

An American Airman assigned to the 770th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron at Taji Air Base is helping Iraqi airmen learn how to be aircraft maintainers as the Iraqi air force takes steps to take off on their own.Tech. Sgt. Lee Everhart, an Mi-17 air adviser with the 770th AEAS, is part of the

Iraqi airmen learn to protect leaders

Prompted by assassinations of Iraqi military leaders, Iraqi airmen are receiving personal security operations training from members of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations here.According to the April 2011 Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction quarterly report, between January

Iraqi airmen reach maintenance goals, keep fleet soaring

While Iraqi air force pilots continue flying sorties to aid stability in their nation, Iraqi maintainers on the ground here have recently achieved important benchmarks to keep their fleet in the air. Airmen with the Iraqi air forces' 3rd Squadron took over a wide variety of maintenance duties on the

Iraqi airmen score bull's eye with Hellfire missile

For the first time since the re-formation of the Iraqi air force, an Iraqi pilot fired a missile from an aircraft Nov. 4, at a target on a bombing range near Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. A three-man Iraqi aircrew from Squadron 3 fired an AGM-114 Hellfire missile from an AC-208 Caravan, officials at

Iraqi airmen tack on master sergeant’s stripes

An Airman here chose to have two unusual attendees, or in his words, his adopted family, tack on his new stripes recently. Master Sgt. Bubba Beason, 777th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron pneudraulic systems technician instructor deployed from Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., asked two

Iraqi airmen train on tool calibration system

Iraqi airmen expanded their maintenance capabilities at New Al-Muthana Air Base, Iraq, after wrapping up a three-week U.S. Air Force training session on a new torque-wrench calibration system.Iraqi air force officials recently purchased the calibration system so maintainers here could become

Iraqi airmen train to defend their airspace as U.S. Forces prepare to withdraw

With less than six months remaining before the U.S. withdraws from Iraq, U.S. military air advisors here are doubling their training efforts to ensure Iraqi Airmen are prepared to defend their boarders from the sky.Air Force and Army pilots and maintainers from the 721st Air Expeditionary Advisory

Iraqi airmen, U.S. advisers celebrate bittersweet PME graduation

More than 160 Iraqi airmen graduated from a two-week enlisted professional development course taught by U.S. Air Force advisers here May 28. The students, who learned skills designed to make them more effective leaders, supervisors and managers, were praised by their American advisers for their

Iraqi and American pilots learn from one another

Maj. Terry Bloom returned from his deployment at Forward Operating Base Warrior, Kirkuk, Iraq, in October 2008 with a stronger appreciation for not only the security and freedom America provides its citizens, but also for Iraqis' determination to restore their country to its former grand status in

Iraqi business leaders gather at Balad

Iraqi banks and business leaders met at Joint Base Balad at the Banking on Iraqi Business Conference March 31. The conference began building the relationships that are so important to doing business in Iraq."Only 9 percent of Iraqis have a bank account," said Army Capt. Shaun Miller, an Army Central

Iraqi children awaiting first day of school

Schools here are still a week away from opening, but smiling children are already climbing the gates, eagerly waiting for the first day of class. Why? Because Air Force and Army volunteers have extended a helping hand so these children can further their education in modernized facilities.Members

Iraqi children benefit from donations

American forces at Balad Air Base, Iraq, are separated from the Iraqi people by a shallow ocean of sand and concertina wire. The edges of the razor wire mirror the sharp lifestyle contrasts between the poverty-stricken locals and the Americans.Airmen at Balad are joining hands with people here to

Iraqi children come out to play at Joint Base Balad

Nearly 100 Iraqi children spent Oct. 10 running, playing and, more than anything, smiling as they had fun with American servicemembers on Joint Base Balad. The local Iraqi youths, from 5 to 18 years old, were invited to the base as part of a project initiated by the U.S. Department of State's Salah

Iraqi children get a kick out of donations

Airmen and Soldiers here prepared and delivered donations from a stateside fraternity to Iraqi children who live near Joint Base Balad July 14 and 15. The Pennsylvania State University chapter of the social fraternity Phi Kappa Tau supports programs that increase the quality of life for terminally

Iraqi delegation visits Balad, applauds U.S. military efforts

Hoshyar Zebari, Iraqi minister of foreign affairs, and other members of the Iraqi governing council, including Iraqi defense minister Hazim al-Shaalan, visited here June 27 on their way to Istanbul, Turkey, to the NATO summit. While here, Mr. Zebari thanked the United States for its assistance in