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  • January-February Airman available online

    Air Force depot maintenance workers, like those at the Ogden Air Logistics Center at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, keep Air Force aircraft flying in the war on terrorism. These mostly civilian home-front warriors, though half a world away from the front lines, play a vital role in the Air Force's

  • Japan Minister of Defense highlights bilateral capabilities at Yokota

    Japanese Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa visited here April 23 to observe the capabilities of the Japanese Central Readiness Force and the U.S. military's chemical biological incident response force.This was the first visit to Yokota Air Base by a Japan Defense Minister since the Ministry of

  • Japan, U.S. forces come together to Guard, Protect

    U.S. and Japanese forces practiced defending the Misawa Air Base during Exercise Guard and Protect Exercise March 11 through 13 here. The annual exercise was expanded to last for 24 hours and included a fully integrated Base Defense Operations Center. A company-sized group of soldiers from the Japan

  • Japan-based military families remain top concern

    Defense Department officials are taking "proactive, deliberate" steps to stay ahead of the changing conditions in Japan, while keeping the safety and well being of military families there always in mind, a DOD official said March. 18. "From the Pentagon, the military community and family policy team

  • Japanese air defense forces begin U.N. missions

    For the first time in their 52-year history, the Japan Air Self Defense Force began its first United Nations mission over Iraq Sept. 6.The first flight of their new mission landed safely at Baghdad International Airport, Iraq, before returning to its forward-deployed location in Southwest Asia later

  • Japanese aircrew learn advanced airlift tactics in Missouri

    A sky blue military aircraft with red Japanese flag markings is an odd sight in the Midwest.Yet, Airmen at the Missouri Air National Guard training center here are used to such foreign sights.The Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center at the 139th Airlift Wing instructs service members from other

  • Japanese Airmen intern with Kadena NCOs

    Could something as simple as tying engine wires by hand instead of by tool bring two allies closer together? For Staff Sgt. Aiko Koba and Senior Airman Airica Velazquez, it means gaining a greater appreciation for what they do for their respective air force. Sergeant Koba is one of seven Japan Air

  • Japanese civic leaders get taste of Kadena mission

    More than 30 business and industry leaders from the Tokyo area visited Kadena Air Base Feb. 18 through 19 as part of a civic leader tour sponsored by the Japan-America Air Force Goodwill Association here.The group received a mission brief from Brig. Gen. Ken Wilsbach, the 18th Wing commander, and

  • Japanese commend Airman for volunteer efforts

    The Japanese government recently recognized a 730rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron officer in charge for his community volunteer efforts and charitable ways at a ceremony at the Meiji-Jingu Shrine in Yoyogi Park, Tokyo. During the 57th Annual Spring Zenkokai Commendation Ceremony, Capt. Chad Oba was

  • Japanese fighters join Alaskan exercise

    Fighters from the Japanese air self-defense force touched down on North American soil for the first time to take part in an exercise. Cooperative Cope Thunder, a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored air-combat training exercise, is set for June 5 to 20. “The Japanese involvement is very significant in the

  • Japanese forces arrive for Red Flag-Alaska

    Airmen from the Land of the Rising Sun arrived in the Land of the Midnight Sun July 11 in preparation for the Red Flag-Alaska air combat training exercise. After a seven-hour flight across the Pacific Ocean, six Japanese F-15s from Hyakuri Air Base near Tokyo and a U.S. KC-10 Extender carrying 21

  • Japanese forces arrive to help

    Three Japanese air self-defense force C-130Hs arrived here Jan. 30, bringing to fruition an initial deployment plan Japanese forces thought would never happen.This is the first time since World War II Japanese troops have deployed supporting humanitarian activities in a hostile area.The JASDF joins

  • Japanese general tours Hickam

    Japanese Maj. Gen. Jun Nagashima, Director J-4, Joint Staff, Ministry of Defense, toured the Hickam side of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Aug. 1 - 5. The visit included a tour of the C-17 Globemaster simulator, static display, and a command overview briefing. According to Col. Mark McLeod,

  • Japanese get first look at Raptor capabilities

    Japanese media and members of the Japanese Embassy in Washington D.C. visited Langley Air Force Base, Va., Jan. 31 to get a look at the F-22 Raptor before it makes its first overseas deployment to Okinawa. The visit gave the Japanese a look at the Raptor's capabilities through a presentation and a

  • Japanese kids get close-up look at American firefighters

    Two bright red fire trucks, American Airmen and children and an oversized fire dog stood by on a sunny and clear summer morning as buses made their way to the Kadena Air Base fire station headquarters where water arches and rainbows welcomed 49 sixth-graders and 11 escorts from a local Japanese

  • Japanese military key member of coalition

    For the first time since its formation in 1954, members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force are actively deployed to a combat zone. They are helping with humanitarian relief and reconstruction efforts in Iraq. "I feel the responsibility of this valuable work for the world and am proud to take part

  • Japanese minister of defense visits Kadena AB

    Landing at a helicopter pad here, Jan. 20, Japanese Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa met with Brig. Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach, the 18th Wing commander, for a mission briefing and a base tour. During the visit, Mr. Kitazawa expressed his appreciation for the leadership, cooperation, and hard work

  • Japanese minister thanks U.S. service members

    Japanese Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa April boarded the USS Ronald Reagan to thank U.S. service members for their help since an earthquake and the tsunami it caused struck Japan on March 11.The work of U.S. service members and other Americans is a testament to the half century of tomodachi --

  • Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs gives thanks for Operation Tomodachi

    High-ranking officials from the U.S. Army, Air Force and Navy were invited to Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on June 30 in appreciation of Operation Tomodachi.The State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Yutaka Banno, presented each leader with a shield and bowed deeply in appreciation for

  • Japanese NCOs visit Kadena

    Sixty-seven Japan Air Self Defense Force airmen participated in a bilateral exchange program April 23 at Kadena Air Base. The Japan Air Self Defense Force airmen visited the Erwin PME Center, Marshall Dining Facility, living quarters for both Airmen and NCOs, the physiological training facility, and

  • Japanese officers attend AF security forces basic course

    The first Japanese air force officers since 1992 are attending the Air Force security forces basic officer course here. “I would like to emphasize that we really appreciate being accepted here,” said Capt. Hideaki Nakamura, one of the three Japanese officers attending the nearly four-month-long

  • Japanese surprise attack on Hawaii

    At 7:55 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941, an Imperial Japanese Naval Task Force under the command of Admiral Chuichi Nagumo, launched the biggest surprise attack in history. Japanese aircraft struck military installations on Oahu and in less then two hours inflicted the worst destruction the Army Air

  • Japanese World War II fighter joins museum collection

    The embodiment of Japanese air power and kamikaze suicide attacks during World War II, a restored Japanese Zero returned to the U.S. Air Force Museum here.Commercial workers recently completed a one-year restoration of the aircraft for the museum. They disassembled the aircraft to move it to the

  • Japanese, American forces team up in war on terrorism

    A Japan Air Self-Defense Force C-1 cargo jet touched down Feb. 27 at Yokota AB to pick up and deliver supplies. But the plane isn't loading cargo for Japan; the cargo is American supplies for U.S. servicemembers stationed throughout Japan and Guam. Japanese Maj. Masashi Ohta, a C-1 pilot, said the

  • Japanese, American NCOs work together to gain insight

    Kadena Air Base officials began a NCO exchange program Feb. 18, giving eight Japanese Air Self Defense Force airmen the chance to see how their U.S. Air Force counterparts operate."The JASDF airmen did an ice-breaker with the chiefs, flew the KC-135 (Stratotanker) flight simulator and worked with

  • Japanese, U.S. Airmen share insights at tactics symposium

    Airmen from 5th Air Force here sponsored a tactics symposium Sept. 26 to 27, bringing together 30 representatives from the Japanese Air Self Defense Force and U.S. military components in Japan. A first of its kind, the event allowed captains and majors from operations-related specialties to discuss

  • Japanese, US teachers boost bilateral future

    Kadena Air Base middle school staff shared activity-driven English lessons to Okinawa elementary teachers in support of the foreign language initiative at the Ryukyu Middle School, or RMS, May 24.

  • JASDF flies first humanitarian mission into Iraq

    The Japan air self-defense force flew its first humanitarian mission into Iraq as part of coalition air forces, landing at Tallil Air Base on March 3.While self defense forces have previously conducted humanitarian deployments to other locations in the world, this is the first time Japanese airmen

  • JASDF redeployment group bids final farewell

    The last of the Japanese Air Self Defense Force redeployment group members lowered their colors for the last time before departing for Japan Feb. 10, bringing an end to the final chapter of the JASDF's Iraq Reconstruction Support Airlift Wing mission after almost five years. More than a hundred

  • JASSM-ER nears operational employment

    The 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron is scheduled to complete the final-phase of operational testing for the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile - Extended Range in late August, marking a significant step toward operational employment.JASSM-ER is an autonomous, air-to-ground, precision-guided

  • Jay Leno entertains servicemembers, families

    Thousands of servicemembers, their families and friends attended part of Jay Leno's Tour for the Troops here, sponsored by the Air Force Reserve Command.Mr. Leno hosted the grand opening a new recruiting station for AFRC in Wasilla, Alaska, and spoke to a crowd of hundreds of fans after 13 local

  • Jazz combo entertains passengers diverted to Yokota Air Base

    Staff Sgt. Anthony Schmaus, U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific, performs on stage for passengers diverted from Narita International Airport inside the community center at Yokota Air Base, Japan, March 11, 2011. The jazz combo entertained passengers who stayed overnight as a result of the earthquake

  • JB Andrews Airmen train with state special tactical assault team

    Members from the 316th Security Forces Squadron here and the Maryland State Police Special Tactical Assault Team Element, or STATE team, conducted training exercises in unoccupied Joint Base Andrews housing units Jan. 19.The goal of the exercise for the security teams was to share experience and

  • JB Andrews ranked top AF-led joint base

    In an annual Department of Defense evaluation of supportive joint-basing capabilities, Joint Base Andrews was ranked at No. 1 compared to every other Air Force-led joint base as of March 1.JB Andrews was awarded a grade of 96 percent during a Feb. 1-2 evaluation. In order to rack and stack these

  • JB Balad wraps up operations

    What was once a bustling hub for U.S. operations in Iraq has now transitioned into a quiet and empty shell of its former self.In accordance with a 2008 security agreement between the U.S. and Iraq, Joint Base Balad was transitioned to the government of Iraq and the U.S. military presence has

  • JB Charleston Airmen support presidential mission to Cuba

    As President Barack Obama landed in Havana, Cuba, it marked the first time a sitting U.S. president visited the communist nation in over 88 years, and Airmen from Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, played a pivotal role in the historic mission.

  • JB Charleston begins recovery operations after Hurricane Dorian

    Recovery teams will return to the base and work to ensure JB Charleston’s facilities, infrastructure and homes are safe for the return of its service members and families. Hurricane recovery teams are expected to begin travel back to JB Charleston as soon as possible but when it is safe to do so

  • JB Charleston evacuates aircraft, maintains airlift capabilities

    Joint Base Charleston personnel assigned to the 437th Airlift Wing and 628th Air Base Wing began evacuation flights for 24 C-17 Globemaster III aircraft Sept. 11, 2018, in anticipation of Hurricane Florence making landfall. The aircraft and supporting personnel planned and executed flights from

  • JB Charleston hosts new leadership course

    Company grade officers and senior noncommissioned officers at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., hosted Flight Commander’s edge, a new flight leadership training program, Nov. 6 to 8, 2018.

  • JB Charleston maintainers earn 3rd consecutive Daedalian Tophy

    C-17 Globemaster III maintainers of the 437th and 315th Maintenance Groups at Joint Base Charleston have once again demonstrated that they are the cream of the crop after earning the 2016 Clements McMullen Daedalian Trophy for the third consecutive year.

  • JB Charleston provides aid to hurricane victims

    Two C-17 Globemaster III aircraftr left Joint base Charleston carrying 30.6 tons of relief supplies to Alexandria International Airport, Alexandria, Louisiana, in response to Hurricane Harvey Aug. 29, 2017.

  • JB Charleston reservists deliver humanitarian aid to Guatemala

    Reservists from the 300th Airlift Squadron at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., traveled more than 2,700 miles to deliver about 77,000 pounds of cargo to a children's hospice facility in Guatemala Feb. 3.The Airmen loaded a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft with a donated school bus and supplies acquired

  • JB Charleston test new equipment, saves AF millions

    An operational evaluation of new synthetic tie downs and winch cables for the C-17 Globemaster III took place here in November 2016. Tie downs are ropes, cords, straps or chains that secure items during airlift operations; winch cables help adjust the tension on tie downs, securing the load.

  • JB Charleston trains ANG to be globemasters

    The first of four C-17 Globemaster IIIs was transferred from Joint Base Charleston to the Charlotte Air National Guard, N.C. April 7, 2018 as part of a congressional mandate.Through this directive Joint base Charleston will send 16 C-17s to four Air National Guard bases.

  • JB Elmendorf - Richardson turns landfill gas into energy

    During an especially cold December afternoon, a swirling formation of obsidian ravens hovered over a gray chimney, the structure pushing out hot air in the form of burned methane gas and oxygen combusted into water and carbon dioxide. Perhaps the black birds liked the heat. Perhaps they liked the

  • JB Langley surgical team goes 'purple'

    A joint surgical team comprised of three separate branches assembled at U.S. Air Force Hospital Langley at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, in December 2018 to perform an operation.

  • JB Langley-Eustis firefighters rope a way to preparedness

    Firefighters assigned to the 633rd Civil Engineer Squadron participated in a Rescue Technician One Course, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, from Sept. 24 to Oct. 18, 2018. Instructors from the 312th Training Squadron at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, taught 11 Airmen how to run emergencies during

  • JB McChord aircrew delivers aid to Turkish earthquake victims

    An aircrew from here delivered humanitarian relief supplies to eastern Turkey Nov. 1 to aid victims of a recent 7.2 magnitude earthquake.The five-member C-17 Globemaster III crew, assigned to the 10th Airlift Squadron, delivered a 75,000-pound load of tents to Erzurum Airport, Turkey."The men and

  • JB McChord Airmen set Operation Deep Freeze record

    Reservists from the 446th Airlift Wing and active-duty Airmen from the 62nd Airlift Wing completed a record-setting season for Operation Deep Freeze. As the 304th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron aircrews and maintainers, from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., conducted 74 missions in support of ODF,

  • JB McGuire Airmen provide earthquake relief

    Airmen from the Air Mobility Command's 621st Contingency Response Wing here deployed Airmen to Haiti Jan. 14 in the wake of the country's 7.0-magnitude earthquake.Members are deploying to facilitate humanitarian airlift operations and aid in providing ground support to the people of Haiti.More than

  • JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst hosts first-ever base-level Pitch Day event

    The two-month process, which started in April, began when the 87th Contracting Squadron published problem statements from the 87th Air Base Wing, 305th Air Mobility Wing, 621st Contingency Response Wing and Expeditionary Operations School, requesting innovative solutions from small businesses to

  • JB MDL completes KC-46A Pegasus AFFORGEN certification

    Jointly, these squadrons sharpened their skills to generate, fly and deliver airpower superiority. Airmen implemented agile combat employment concepts in simulated deployed scenarios, testing their proactive and reactive responses with limited personnel and equipment.

  • JB MDL prepares for Hurricane Irene

    Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is actively preparing for Hurricane Irene, officials here said.The base entered Hurricane Condition III on Aug. 25, which is declared when the weather forecast predicts the arrival of 58 mph or greater winds within 48 hours."Hurricane Irene is expected to be a

  • JB MDL welcomes evacuees from Haiti

    Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst officials welcomed more than 250 evacuees from Haiti Jan. 15 following a 7.0-magnitude earthquake there. JB McGuire officials are facilitating support efforts with various governmental and civilian organizations to ensure the evacuees are properly cared for. The team

  • JB Pearl Harbor-Hickhan remembers 9/11

    Active-duty, Guard and Reserve Airmen from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, gathered for a ceremony to remember those who were lost 9/11. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the attacks.View the slideshow.

  • JB San Antonio-Lackland constructs new training complex

    Construction of the Basic Military Training West Campus at Joint Base San-Antonio-Lackland, Texas, is a multifaceted effort designed to replace decentralized, aged housing and training infrastructure with modern living and educational facilities.

  • JBB officials host first Iraqi air force logistics commander summit

    An Iraqi Air Force C-130 landed here July 6 carrying IqAF logistics wing commanders from across the country, Iraqi Training and Advisory Mission-Air staff advisors and IqAF logistics staff members including the Iraqi director of logistics. This was the first IqAF logistics wing commander summit"The

  • JBER debuts innovation project during Polar Force 21-5

    The team, which was led by Capt. Jamey Shuls, 773rd Logistics Readiness Squadron director of operations, designed and conceptualized URSUS in partnership with the air staff’s Tesseract innovation team and Air Force Research Laboratory.

  • JBLE Airman helps save drowning girl

    A child was drowning at Fort Monroe Beach, Virginia, May 13, 2018. When medical services arrived, they found a young girl who had been rescued from the water and was safe in her mother’s arms. The nine year old had gone swimming, when the current took her into deeper waters where she could no longer

  • JBLE Airman overcomes struggle by paying it forward

    U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Michael Svoleantopoulos, 497th Operations Support Squadron weapons tactician, returned from the U.S. Air Force Pararescue Indoctrination Course much sooner than he anticipated. Svoleantopoulos spent the previous three years mentally and physically training for his goal to

  • JBLE Command and Control establishes AMC C2

    Normally, while serving as Joint Base Langley-Eustis command and control specialists, Airmen in the JBLE Command Post focus on the varied missions of JBLE and its tenant wings. However, on Sept. 28, 2017, one critical mission called on these Airmen to support a global response mission.

  • JBLE exemplifies CMSAF initiatives

    The Airmen at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, are at the forefront of implementing Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright’s three initiatives – resiliency, leadership and training.

  • JBLE welcomes President Trump

    President Donald J. Trump greeted a crowd of service members, their families and friends as he made his first official visit to Joint Base Langley-Eustis and the Tidewater military community, March 2.

  • JBMDL to gain ANG cyber operations squadron

    The Department of the Air Force has selected Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, as the location for an Air National Guard cyber operations squadron, increasing focus on cyber capabilities in support of the National Defense Strategy.

  • JBSA hosts funeral services for CMSAF Robert D. Gaylor

    Joint Base San Antonio and the 502nd Air Base Wing will host funeral services for Robert D. Gaylor, the fifth chief master sergeant of the Air Force, on Feb. 10 at JBSA-Lackland and the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.