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  • Dec. 2 airpower summary: F-16s provide top cover

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 2, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped a guided bomb unit-38 into a

  • Airman's Roll Call: Remembering Pearl Harbor

    This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, and provides some facts to recall as this anniversary is observed. Classified as a defining moment in U.S. history, the attack stood as the most devastating enemy attack on U.S. soil until Sept. 11, 2001, another

  • Airmen bid farewell to two Doolittle Raiders

    Air Force men and women are mourning the deaths last week of two famed Doolittle Raiders, Maj. Gen. David M. Jones and Master Sgt. Edwin W. Horton, Jr.  They both served honorably in the April 1942 Doolittle Raid. General Jones died Nov. 25 at his home in Tucson, Arizona. Sergeant Horton passed

  • Andersen officials to transfer management functions to Navy

    The Joint Region Marianas will stand up in January as Andersen Air Force Base officials will relocate installation management functions to the commander of U.S. Naval Forces, Marianas located on Guam.This was a result of almost four years of planning to implement this change to the law as a result

  • Secretary Gates tells Airmen nuclear mission vital to U.S.

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates traveled here Dec. 1 to emphasize the importance of the Air Force's nuclear mission -- and in maintaining its long tradition of excellence -- to the men and women entrusted with carrying it out. Secretary Gates became the first defense secretary in memory to visit

  • CSAF: Airmen, Air Force integral part of joint fight

    With his first 100 days in office under his belt, the 19th chief of staff of the Air Force says the Air Force is in good shape. Gen. Norton Schwartz says that's because of the impressive job America's Airmen -- active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian -- are performing. The service's top military

  • Air Force officials reduce waste with recycling program

    Base officials here helped the environment by expanding their recycling program from plastic bottles and aluminum cans to include hazardous materials, chlorofluorocarbons, metals such as copper and steel, and cardboard boxes.The program resulted in payments that have amounted to $95,000 so far this

  • Airmen train for contingency operations during Silver Flag

    Airmen from all over the Pacific region trained to establish and sustain a forward operating base during Silver Flag 09-09 Nov. 16 through 22 at Kadena Air Base. In addition to their career field-specific training, the students were required to operate in simulated wartime conditions and to help

  • AETC opens virtual doors to MyBase

    Air Education and Training Command officals here launched a virtual world Dec. 2 targeting avatars, or people, interested in learning more about the Air Force. Second Life is a three-dimensional virtual world where users can socialize, connect and explore the digital universe using virtual

  • Space shuttle diverted, lands at Edwards

    Space Shuttle Endeavour and its crew of seven astronauts landed after a 15-day mission to the International Space Station at about 1:25 p.m. PST Nov. 30 at Edwards Air Force Base.The shuttle was diverted to Edwards AFB, its alternate landing site, due to bad weather at Kennedy Space Station, Fla.

  • Dec. 1 airpower summary: Hercs airdrop supplies

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 1, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle dropped a guided bomb

  • Internal training key to Iraqi air force independence

    As the Iraqi parliament works out the details of the new status of forces agreement that calls for American forces to withdraw from the country in 2011, Iraqi air force emergency responders from New al Muthana Air Base took the lead for the first time in a mass casualty response exercise Nov. 21 as

  • Air Force leaders reinforce zero tolerance for sexual assault

    Leaders from wing level to senior Air Force brass recently gathered for a two-day leader summit on sexual assault prevention and response here. Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz affirmed their commitment to eliminating sexual assaults in

  • Kadena volunteers spread holiday cheer to single servicemembers

    How do you bring a little cheer to more than 2,000 single servicemembers spending the holidays far away from family and friends? Perhaps 24,000 cookies is a good start. With this in mind, 500 volunteers from various organizations here mixed, rolled, sprinkled, decorated and baked thousands of

  • Manas Airmen help provide aid to Kyrgyz in need

    Manas Airmen, in conjunction with U.S. Embassy personnel in Bishkek, hosted a small ceremony Nov. 25 in which 31,680 meals-ready-to-eat and more than 100 cold weather sleeping bags were provided to the Kyrgyz Republic's Ministry of Emergency Situations, or MES, to help local Kyrgyz who may need

  • Hiring authority makes it easier to hire disabled employees

    Air Force officials are working to increase manager understanding of how to hire qualified people with disabilities. The Schedule A hiring authority, a noncompetitive government hiring process, allows federal employers to hire qualified people with mental retardation, severe physical disabilities or

  • 'Today's Air Force' features warrior care

    This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights a different type of therapy for wounded warriors. While most rehabilitation occurs within the walls of medical facilities, new and unique organizations are now able to treat wounded warriors outside medical facilities. Also featured is a plan to

  • Gates provides continuity as nation fights two wars, Obama says

    President-elect Barack Obama cited the need for continuity as the United States fights two wars in announcing, Dec. 1, that Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates will remain at the Pentagon when his administration takes over next month."At a time when we face an unprecedented transition amidst two wars,

  • Air Force family liaisons help wounded warriors, families

    Air Force family liaison officers have an important role in assisting wounded warriors and their families, a San Antonio-based Air Force senior noncommissioned officer said. The Air Force's family liaison officer program "truly is the lifeblood of taking care of our war wounded," said Chief Master

  • Airmen help build Afghan military medical capability

    A small group of Airmen helped transform a once empty building into a fully functional hospital at Camp Hero in Kandahar Province that is now staffed by Afghan national army personnel and capable of caring for ANA soldiers, Afghan national police members, and their families. The Kandahar Regional

  • Former Air Force secretary dies at 92

    Verne Orr, the fourteenth secretary of the Air Force, died Nov. 27 at age 92 in his home in Pasadena, Calif.  He served under President Ronald Reagan from 1981 to 1985. "Former Secretary of the Air Force Verne Orr was a leader and a professional committed to the United States Air Force and our

  • Lackland medical center labs receive 2-year accreditation

    The labs at San Antonio Military Medical Center-South recently received a two-year accreditation from the AABB, an organization recognized by the industry for monitoring and advancing transfusion and cellular therapies worldwide. The accreditation involved an intensive on-site assessment by AABB

  • NORTHCOM: Guarding the nation's borders

    Thousands of U.S. military men and women are deployed across the globe promoting democracy, guarding freedom and fighting terrorism. They are the fingers of the nation's military, extending its reach and capabilities on an international scope. But as the events of Sept. 11, 2001, demonstrated, the

  • Manas Airman receives surprise call from president

    "This is the White House switchboard, can you hear me OK?" With that, Senior Airman Victoria Drefs was finally convinced that her fellow Airmen in the 376th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron's petroleum oil and lubricants shop were not playing another prank on her. Airman Drefs, a native of

  • U.S. troops help flood victims in Central America

    A team of 48 U.S. servicemembers and seven helicopters from the Honduras-based Joint Task Force-Bravo deployed to Panama and Costa Rica the last week of November to help communities impacted by heavy rains and flooding. The team, composed of aviation and medical personnel, is supporting rescue and

  • Nov. 30 airpower summary: A-10s perform shows of force

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 30, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets dropped a guided bomb unit-12 and

  • Nov. 29 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 29, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II fired cannon rounds

  • Medical center keeps troops in action

    "Being here really makes you appreciate the sacrifices these wounded warriors have made and when you put them on a plane after they recovered from their injuries you know they're going back out there to put their lives on the line all over again," says a nurse as she wipes away a tear from her eye.

  • Hockey: No. 11 Air Force falls to No. 9 Denver, 4-1

    After 13 straight wins, No. 11 Air Force fell to No. 9 Denver, 4-1, in a non-conference college hockey game at a sold out Magness Arena in Denver, Colo. Air Force fell to 13-1 on the season while Denver improved to 9-5-1 overall. Air Force was the last undefeated and untied team in the nation and

  • Hockey: No. 11 Air Force beats No. 3 Colorado College, 4-1

    Air Force goaltender Andrew Volkening made 28 saves and the Falcons killed all nine Colorado College power plays as the 11th-ranked Falcons defeated the third-ranked Tigers, 4-1, in front of a sellout crowd of 3,063 at the Cadet Ice Arena. The Falcons remain the only undefeated and untied team in

  • Nov. 28 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 28, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-9 Reaper used Hellfire missiles

  • Nov. 27 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 27, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs

  • Nov. 26 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 26, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II fired cannon rounds

  • DOD safety program team visits Cannon

    A Department of Defense's Voluntary Protection Program initial site assessment team visited Cannon AFB Nov. 3 - 7. The team visited various work areas on base to give commanders and other personnel some guidance on going above and beyond complying with safety standards and be awarded the

  • Air Force spouse raises funds for wounded warriors

    When her husband deployed to Iraq in January of 2006, Sonja McDonald decided to spend her time waiting for his return home, raising money to help wounded warriors and their families. Mrs. McDonald is married to Capt. Jim McDonald, a nurse at San Antonio Military Medical Center-North, formally known

  • 386th Airmen clear hazards, keep locals safe

    Beyond the wire of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing spans an area covered not only in sand but potential explosive hazards, aging from as far back as the Gulf War fighting that took place here in the early 90s. This time of year, the same area is inhabited by host-nation locals who follow a

  • Airman's Roll Call: Easing deployment stress

    This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on easing deployment stress through personal and family readiness.Airmen with financial, family or other personal concerns may struggle to perform their duties at 100 percent efficiency at home station or abroad. The Airman and Family Readiness Center helps

  • Chief of staff visits Barksdale

    The Air Force chief of staff visited Barksdale Air Force Base Nov. 25 to familiarize himself with the base's mission.Gen. Norton Schwartz and his wife, Suzie, came to Barksdale AFB and the senior Air Force military member met base and community leaders, visited several squadrons on base and answered

  • AFPC Airmen hold unit run in honor of Warrior Care Month

    Hundreds of Airmen from the Air Force Personnel Center here ran through the streets around Airmen's Heritage Park here Nov. 25 in honor of Air Force wounded warriors. AFPC officials hosted the run as part of Warrior Care Month to honor the sacrifices of Air Force wounded warriors and to increase

  • Air Force civilian earns award for plasma research

    The Plasma Science and Applications Committee of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers selected an Air Force Office of Scientific Research program manager for the 2009 Plasma Science and Applications award. The committee chose Dr. Robert Barker for his "outstanding contributions to

  • Andersen Airmen hear Dragon Thunder

    Andersen Air Force Base Airmen sharpened their expeditionary skills during Exercise Dragon Thunder Nov. 17 through 21 here.Members of the from the 644th Combat Communications Squadron set up camp under a sea of camouflage netting in tents filled with towers of electronic equipment for the field

  • New tool assures aircraft material integrity, performance

    Air Force researchers working with industry here have developed and effectively demonstrated a portable, nondestructive evaluation technology that measures in real time the electrical properties of specialty materials underneath the exterior coating of advanced military aircraft. The new technology,

  • Incirlik volunteers strengthen community

    Incirlik Air Base members reached out to help citizens of Incirlik by renovating a village park with fresh paint, landscaping and equipment Nov. 15 in the village just outside the base. About 75 base volunteers ventured out to the nearby Incirlik Village park to give Turkish children a nicer place

  • Nov. 25 airpower summary: A-10s deter anti-Afghan attacks

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 25, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fired cannon rounds onto

  • MTV visits Fairchild

    Five crew members from MTV came to Fairchild Air Force Base Nov. 17 for a firsthand glimpse of what the Air Force has to offer. MTV's "How to Show" has celebrities demonstrating how to do a variety of things through a step-by-step format, and the Air Force joined MTV to show how Airmen survive,

  • Space loses one of its stars

    One of the Air Force Space and Missile Pioneers, retired Brig. Gen. Maurice A. Cristadoro Jr., 88, died Nov. 22. His wake and funeral will be held Nov. 28 in Pensacola, Fla. Air Force Space Command officials inducted General Cristadoro to the Space and Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame in 2006 for his

  • DOD officials navigate language roadmap

    Defense Department officials here completed more than 90 percent of the tasks they set out to accomplish in a language plan that launched four years ago. Known as the Defense Language Transformation Roadmap, this broad strategy aims to address national shortfalls in foreign language skills in the

  • PACAF key to stability in diverse theater, general says

    The Pacific theater is large, diverse and complicated, but the Airmen of Pacific Air Forces are up to the challenge, according to a senior PACAF leader speaking in Los Angeles Nov. 20. Lt. Gen. Chip Utterback, 13th Air Force commander, kicked off the Air Force Association Global Warfare Symposium

  • Travel charge cards to switch over Nov. 30

    The government-issued Bank of America official travel charge card that's been used for years by Defense Department military and civilian employees will be deactivated effective Nov. 30, Defense Travel Management Office officials said. Citibank has the new contract, and eligible defense military and

  • Readiness paramount in Baltic air policing mission

    Pilots and aircraft maintainers with the 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron here hold a high standard of readiness and a constant vigil, ready to police the sovereign airspace of the Baltic nations at a moment's notice. To perform this NATO air defense mission, the aircrews are expected to be in

  • Post-combat coping methods vary, troops say

    Methods of coping with combat and its aftereffects vary as greatly as the effects themselves, six warriors participating in a conference panel here said. Officials at the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury hosted the "Warrior Resilience Conference:

  • Deployed Airmen support bilateral exercise

    Airmen from the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron here recently participated in the AnnualEx 20G, a bilateral exercise between U.S. and Japanese Maritime Self Defense Forces that took place from Nov. 13 to 19 over the Pacific Ocean. The exercise, conducted yearly, is designed for two primary

  • Nov. 24 airpower summary: C-130s vital to transport missions

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 24, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped a guided bomb unit-38

  • Astronauts send special greetings to military

    The combined crews of Space Shuttle Endeavour and the International Space Station have sent a special greeting to members of the American military in time for the upcoming holiday season. From orbit 220 miles above Earth, Commander Chris Ferguson (captain, U.S. Navy), Pilot Eric Boe (colonel, U.S.

  • Guard members to be honored through Salute Campaign

    Air National Guard officials here announced Nov. 20 they will soon honor what could be more than 70,000 citizen-Airmen who have deployed in contingencies since Sept. 11, 2001, with a Hometown Heroes Salute Campaign.Chief Master Sgt. Richard Smith, command chief of the Air Guard, made the

  • Air Force officials release F-15 accident report

    A combination of human factors and aircraft anomalies caused a spin during a July 30 crash of a two-seat F-15D Eagle during a Red Flag exercise at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., according to an Air Combat Command accident investigation board report released Nov. 24 here. The pilot in command, Lt. Col.

  • Airmen reach out to children's home in Lithuania

    More than 20 Airmen from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, volunteered their time and talents with Lithuanian children Nov. 15 at the District Vijurkai Children's Home in Vijurkai, Lithuania. The Airmen, deployed from the 48th Fighter Wing, are in Lithuania to perform the NATO Baltic air policing

  • Football: TCU thrashes Falcons

    Air Force concluded the 2008 regular season on a sour note in Fort Worth, Texas, Nov. 22 with a 44-10 loss at the hands of Texas Christian University. The Horned Frogs dominated both sides of the ball and kept the Falcons' high-powered offense from getting on track on a cool afternoon in

  • 7th Air Force officials welcome new commander

    The leadership of 7th Air Force changed hands during a change-of-command ceremony here Nov. 24.Lt. Gen. Jeffrey A. Remington assumed command from Lt. Gen. Stephen G. Wood as Army Gen. Walter Sharp, the U.S. Forces Korea commander, and Gen. Carrol H. "Howie" Chandler, the Pacific Air Forces

  • 'Today's Air Force' features Air Force Week Los Angeles

    This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the third and final Air Force Week celebration of 2008 which began with a proclamation ceremony at the famous Kodak Theater in Hollywood, Calif. Also featured is a new command. Air Force officials unveiled the colors during the assumption of command

  • Clinic treats adults, children for cerebral palsy

    Officials at a new clinic are providing comprehensive treatment for adults and children suffering from cerebral palsy at the San Antonio Military Medical Complex, formerly called the Wilford Hall Medical Center. The San Antonio Military Medical Complex Adult and Pediatric Spasticity Clinic is

  • Program helps Guard, Reserve members fill active-duty tours

    When his building inspection business slowed, Tech. Sgt. David Marcelli of the District of Columbia Air National Guard needed to find work. He found it by using the Personnel Force Innovation program that matches up organizations that need Guard and Reserve members looking for active duty tours.

  • Secretary Donley: U.S. can retain space leadership role

    Solid leadership and the coordination of resources will enable the United States to retain its leadership in space, Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley said Nov. 21 during the Air Force Association's Global War Symposium in Los Angeles. Strong government and collaboration among leaders also

  • Lifesaving Airman, patient meet for first time

    A local South Korean woman and the Kunsan Air Base Airman whose blood donation saved her life met for the first time when she visited here Nov. 21. Airman Tamarias Pope of the 8th Security Forces Squadron met up with 22-year-old You Jin Pak, allowing the 19-year-old Airman to put a face to the

  • SECAF visits base to discuss future of space power

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley visited Vandenberg Nov. 22 to meet with 14th Air Force leaders and tour the Joint Space Operations Center here. Secretary Donley visited with Brig. Gen. Jay Santee, 14th Air Force vice commander, and Col. Richard Boltz, the 614th Air and Space Operations

  • 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

  • Forward air controllers prepare for war

    In the profession of arms where timeliness, precision and control are the rules of the day, sometimes a little confusion, disorder and mayhem are good things. It's especially valuable as a training tool for joint terminal attack controllers who hang their hat in hell's backyard to direct lethal

  • Nov. 23 airpower summary: F-15Es provide armed overwatch

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 23, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II fired cannon rounds onto

  • Nov. 22 airpower summary: B-1B bombs anti-Afghan forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 22, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and Air Force F-15E Strike

  • Hockey: Air Force stays perfect, sweeps Sacred Heart

    Air Force Academy Falcon's hockey player Greg Flynn scored two goals and Air Force scored five times on the power play as the 12th-ranked Falcons swept Sacred Heart with a 7-1 win Nov. 22, in an Atlantic Hockey Association game in front of a sellout crowd of 2,731 at the Cadet Ice Arena here. The

  • Nov. 21 Airpower Summary: A-10s conduct close-air support

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 21, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped a guided

  • Hockey: 12th-ranked Falcons crush Sacred Heart 8-1

    Air Force Academy hockey teammates Jeff Hajner and Matt Fairchild each scored two goals as the 12th-ranked Falcons beat Sacred Heart, 8-1, Nov. 21 in an Atlantic Hockey Association game in front of a school-record crowd of 3,535 at the Cadet Ice Arena here. With the win, the Falcons remain the only

  • Gen. Hoffman assumes leadership of AF Materiel Command

    Gen. Donald J. Hoffman assumed command of the organization responsible for the technology, acquisition, test and sustainment of the service's current and future weapon systems during a ceremony here Nov. 21. General Hoffman took the reins of Air Force Materiel Command from Gen. Bruce Carlson during

  • Small business specialist recognized with DOD award

    The small business specialist for the 6th Air Mobility Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., was one of six individuals recognized in the Department of Defense for his efforts in going beyond goals to advance the objectives of the service-disabled veteran-owned small business, or

  • DOD defers F-22 funding decision to next administration

    To avoid unnecessary taxpayer spending, Defense Department officials here are only partially funding the expansion of F-22 Raptor aircraft production, leaving the decision for further expansion to the incoming presidential administration. John J. Young Jr., the undersecretary of Defense for

  • Kirtland officials accelerate space-based program testing

    Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center officials here successfully tested the Space-Based Infrared System Highly Elliptical Orbit payload and operations center and accelerated operational acceptance by six weeks. SBIRS is a consolidated system intended to meet United States infrared space

  • Coalition force Reaper unit deploys to Joint Base Balad

    A coalition force comprising experts from the U.S. Air Force and Royal Air Force deployed here recently to sustain operations for the world's most lethal unmanned aircraft system. An MQ-9 Reaper aircraft maintenance unit, attached to the 46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance and Attack Squadron, melds

  • Electronic warfare officers keep Soldiers safe

    Navy Cmdr. Ed Fischer and Air Force 1st Lt. E.J. Wong would seem to be out of place in an Army heavy brigade combat team conducting operations in Iraq.Commander Fischer, whose career field is nuclear engineering, and Lieutenant Wong, an air battle manager, are electronic warfare officers for the 1st

  • Medevac mission highlighted in Chronicle feature

    An Air Force Reserve crew from the 349th Air Mobility Wing at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., carried out a medevac mission earlier this year accompanied by a staff writer and photographer from the San Francisco Chronicle. The feature, written by Carl Nolte and documented with images and a video by

  • Top AF leaders convene for quarterly council meeting

    With a focus on the execution of the 2008 Air Force Strategic Plan, the Air Force Process Council conducted its quarterly meeting Nov.20 at Air Force Materiel Command headquarters here. The council, led by Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz

  • Nov. 20 airpower summary: B-1Bs deter insurgents

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 20, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb unit-38s onto

  • AAFES to offer Thanksgiving weekend feast of deals

    Military shoppers looking to dig in to tasty holiday shopping better bring a big appetite to base exchanges or post exchanges the weekend after Thanksgiving as the Army & Air Force Exchange Service is serving up three days of great deals, gift card giveaways and scratch off cards. The smorgasbord

  • Registration for AETC Symposium still open

    Airmen and Air Force civilians can still register for the 2009 Air Education and Training Command Symposium being held Jan. 15 and 16 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio.Members of all commands who attend the interactive technology expose will see demonstrations of the next

  • Army special forces group to beddown at Eglin AFB

    Air Force officials signed a record of decision Nov. 20 that begins the process for the Army's 7th Special Forces Group to beddown at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The group will be located west of Duke Field and the range will be on the east and west side. "This was truly a joint effort on the part of

  • Open season ongoing for 3 civilian benefit programs

    Air Force officials here announced the open season for three civilian benefit programs continues until Dec. 8. The three programs are the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, or FEHB; the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program, or FEDVIP; and the Federal Flexible Spending

  • Predator landing gear collapses upon landing

    The landing gear of an MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft system collapsed after the aircraft landed about 6:45 a.m. Baghdad time Nov. 21 on the Joint Base Balad runway in Iraq. The extent of the damage is unknown at this time. The Predator is assigned to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing from Joint

  • Stars visible at, from LA observatory

    Senior Air Force leaders rubbed elbows with entertainment industry figures Nov. 18 during an Air Force Week reception at the Griffith Observatory here. Hosted by the Friends of the Observatory, a nonprofit organization which supports the world's most visited public observatory, the event honored

  • Vandenberg receives California Space Authority award

    Vandenberg Air Force Base received the National Security Space Award from the California Space Authority Nov. 19 at the SpotBeam Awards ceremony here. The award was presented in commemoration of the base's 50th anniversary of operation as an Air Force base. Both Vandenberg AFB and the Air Force have

  • Reserve Affairs chief explains new DOD directive

    Recent changes on how the Guard and Reserves are recognized are larger than any in recent history, a senior Defense Department official said here Nov. 19. Thomas F. Hall, the assistant secretary of defense for Reserve Affairs, told the Air National Guard's top officers and command chief master

  • Chairman notes Military Family Appreciation Week

    Military Family Appreciation Week begins Nov. 21, and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff issued a message Nov. 20 noting the observance. Here is the text of Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen's message: "This month, as we celebrate our blessings, and give thanks for our freedom to enjoy them, we

  • Manas officials host Vendor's Day in Kyrgyzstan

    Representatives from more than 70 Kyrgyz businesses attended a Vendor Day to learn more about how to do business at Manas Air Base held Nov. 13 at the Bishkek Hyatt Regency in Kyrgyzstan.Airmen from the 376th Expeditionary Contracting Squadron coordinated and hosted the event as a way to help local

  • Program addresses wounded, ill servicemembers' needs

    More than 1,900 wounded servicemembers have benefited from their enrollment in a specialized health program to meet their unique needs during their rehabilitative process. "As we began seeing more wounded servicemembers returning to our region, we identified some unique needs that they faced as they

  • DOD launches 'Wounded Warrior Diaries'

    Defense Department officials have created the "Wounded Warrior Diaries," a multimedia Web tribute in which American servicemembers wounded in combat share stories of their service, including their hard-won battles on the road to recovery and the ups and downs of life in the wake of injury. The

  • Battlelab initiative aims to speed KC-10 cargo loading

    Though the Air Mobility Battlelab deactivated here Sept. 24, one of its final initiatives shows great potential to help KC-10 Extender crewmembers do their jobs faster and decrease aircraft weight. With the KC-10 Lightweight Cargo Net and Hoist Initiative, the Air Mobility Battlelab, or AMB, sought

  • Research into flies' hearing could aid UAS program

    A professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Maryland is researching miniature acoustic sensors and sound localization techniques using the hearing mechanisms of flies as a model. Such research could benefit the Air Force by leading to the development of an artificial fly unmanned

  • Nov. 19 airpower summary: KC-10s bring fuel

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 19, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II, conducted a show of force

  • Grand Forks communicators start 2 major base projects

    The 130-person 319th Communications Squadron here is busy preparing Grand Forks Air Force Base for two critical information technology projects for the base and the entire Air Force.One project is for the High Frequency Global Communications System is a highly-automated communications system that

  • Andrews officials support G-20 Summit

    World leaders from 20 countries attending the G-20 Summit on Financial Markets and the World Economy arrived Nov. 13 and 14 here. The summit, hosted by President George W. Bush, brought together world leaders to discuss the increasing global financial crisis, its causes and efforts to resolve it.

  • Predator damaged in Afghanistan

    An MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft system was damaged at approximately 10:15 a.m. Nov. 20 at a base in southern Afghanistan. The aircraft is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft with a primary mission of conducting armed reconnaissance. A safety investigation board will be