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  • Team tests in-the-field aircraft decontamination procedures

    The Joint Strike Fighter Integrated Test Force pulled an F-16 Fighting Falcon out of a special hangar Feb. 11, marking the culmination of a series of unique tests here. As a surrogate for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the F-16 was used to test Department of Defense chemical and biological

  • Falcon eyes roam Iraqi skies

    For years the F-16 Fighting Falcon has been the premier multi-role fighter in the Air Force inventory, but recently F-16s here have been expanding their list of capabilities by performing non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, or NTISR. “NTISR is when a platform such

  • Weapons load crews keep mission on target

    It would be a lot harder to accomplish the mission in Iraq if F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots couldn’t drop 500-pound bombs exactly where they wanted. And more Soldiers would have to go into harm’s way if MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft weren’t able to engage targets with Hellfire missiles from 10,000

  • CENTAF releases daily airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary.Coalition aircraft flew 42 close-air-support missions Feb. 9 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt

  • CENTAF releases daily airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary.Coalition aircraft flew 32 close-air-support missions Feb. 8 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt

  • CENTAF releases daily airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary.Coalition aircraft flew 55 close-air-support missions Feb. 7 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt

  • Air Warfare Battlelab: Turning ideas into reality

    They aren’t mad scientists who wear lab coats and pocket protectors, and their expertise extends far beyond the confines of their think tanks. They were chosen because they’re the Air Force’s most innovative thinkers, and they’re turning ideas into operational force enhancers all over the world. The

  • CENTAF releases combined airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for Feb. 4 to 6. Coalition aircraft flew 57 close-air-support missions Feb. 5 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter

  • CENTAF releases daily airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary.Coalition aircraft flew 51 close-air-support missions Feb. 2 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities, and operations to deter and disrupt

  • CENTAF releases daily airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released its daily airpower summary. Coalition aircraft flew 56 close-air support missions Feb. 1 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities, and operations to deter and

  • Luke Airmen enjoy 'Lt. Dan Band' show

    Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band received rave reviews from the more than 1,500 Luke Airmen who attended a free United Service Organizations concert Saturday night. Well known for his “Forrest Gump” character “Lt. Dan”, Gary Sinise and his band, the Lt. Dan Band, played a variety of music from

  • F-35 simulator demonstrates fighter of tomorrow

    While the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is still in development, Airmen are getting a “sneak peek” at the future of air superiority thanks to a unique simulator. The Lockheed Martin Corporation’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, or JSF, pilot interface simulator is demonstrating the fighter’s capabilities to

  • CENTAF releases daily airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary. Coalition aircraft flew 54 close-air-support missions Jan. 30 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt

  • Chilean air force receives F-16 Peace Puma

    The delivery of two new F-16 Peace Puma aircraft from the United States to Chile Jan. 24 kicks off a promising era of interoperability between the two nations. Over the next 10 months, the Chilean air force will receive eight additional F-16 C and D model aircraft from the contractor Lockheed Martin

  • CENTAF releases combined airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for Jan. 28 to 30. Coalition aircraft flew 56 close-air-support missions Jan. 29 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to

  • CENTAF releases daily airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary. Coalition aircraft flew 32 close-air support missions Jan. 26 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities, and operations to deter

  • CENTAF releases daily airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary. Coalition aircraft flew 34 close-air-support missions Jan. 25 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt

  • Air Guardsman soars into Super Bowl XL

    Bryce Fisher the “Guardsman” can earn a medal or a ribbon or receive a commander’s coin for a job well done. Now, Bryce Fisher the “football player” has a shot at a Super Bowl ring and a title his hometown has been waiting 30 years for. The Seahawks, the newly crowned National Football Conference

  • CENTAF releases daily airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary. Coalition aircraft flew 28 close-air-support missions Jan. 24 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt

  • CENTAF releases daily airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary. Coalition aircraft flew 32 close-air-support missions Jan. 23 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt

  • Raptor completes operational refueling flight first

    Airmen from the 18th Air Refueling Squadron here took part in the first operational aerial refueling mission for the F-22A Raptor Jan. 21 in support of Operation Noble Eagle. The F-22A Raptor was declared operational by the Air Force Dec. 15. It is the newest fighter aircraft for the Air Force,

  • CENTAF releases combined airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for Jan. 21 to 23. Coalition aircraft flew 32 close-air support missions Jan. 22 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and

  • CENTAF releases daily airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released its daily airpower summary. Coalition aircraft flew 52 close-air-support missions Jan. 17 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and

  • CENTAF releases combined airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the combined airpower summary report for Jan. 13 to 17. Coalition aircraft flew 50 close-air support missions Jan. 16 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction

  • F-16 pylons receive upgrade

    Wiring for pylons on F-16 Fighting Falcons are being upgraded by the 309th Commodities Maintenance Squadron at Ogden Air Logistics Center here, enabling the jets to handle 21st century smart munitions. The cables that deliver the pilot's commands to the munitions must be more complex as weapon

  • SECAF celebrates welcome to the blue

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne was “welcomed into blue” during a ceremony here today. He was received by a hundreds of Airmen, the Air Force Honor Guard and Air Force Band. Gen. T. Michael Moseley, chief of staff of the Air Force, presided over the event and told everyone present it was

  • CENTAF releases daily airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's daily airpower summary. Coalition aircraft flew 56 close-air-support missions Jan. 10 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and

  • Improved earpieces reaching Falcon pilots

    F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots here will soon start using an earpiece that will afford better hearing protection and an improved mission focus. The 4th Fighter Squadron's "Fighting Fuujins" will receive the new attenuating custom communication earpiece system this month. The earpiece was developed at

  • F-16 receives special care at Hill

    Specialists at the Ogden Air Logistics Center’s, 649th Combat Logistics Support Squadron used their unique equipment and skills to repair a damaged F-16 Fighting Falcon. The squadron's role was pivotal since it is the only active-duty maintenance unit capable of making such repairs, said 1st Lt.

  • CENTAF releases combined daily air power summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released today’s combined air power summary. Coalition aircraft flew 28 close-air-support missions Jan. 8 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary report

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary. In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 44 close-air-support missions Jan. 5 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and

  • Aggressor squadron stands up at Nellis

    The Air Force will reactivate the 65th Aggressor Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan. 12. In a letter to Airmen, Gen. T. Michael Moseley, Air Force chief of staff, cited the history of the unit as “legendary” and said the aggressors will “directly contribute to the combat capability of our

  • Airmen participate in Rose Bowl events

    A B-1B Lancer kicked off the national college football title game Jan. 4 with a flyover of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. Gen. Ronald Keys, commander of Air Combat Command and Lt. Gen. Michael Hamel, commander of the Space and Missile Systems Center here, represented the Air Force at several

  • CENTAF releases daily airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the daily airpower summary. In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 52 close-air-support missions Jan. 4 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to

  • CENTAF releases combined airpower summary report

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today’s combined airpower summary for Dec. 30 to Jan. 3. On Dec. 29, Air Force and Royal Air Force tankers flew 30 sorties and off-loaded more than 2.3 million pounds of fuel. Coalition aircraft flew 54 close-air-support missions Dec. 30 for

  • CENTAF releases daily air power summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released today’s air power summary report. Coalition aircraft flew 46 close-air-support missions Dec. 29 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to

  • CENTAF releases daily airpower summary report

    Coalition aircraft flew 36 close-air-support missions Dec. 27 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons performed an air strike

  • CENTAF releases combined airpower summary report

    Since Dec. 23, coalition aircraft have flown nearly 150 close-air-support missions supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities. Air Force F-16 Fighting

  • Squadron breathes new life into old aircraft bodies

    Back in 1973, the 1553 multiplex data bus was the wave of the future for military aircraft. It replaced bulky equipment in passing data between sensors, computers, indicators and other aircraft equipment. It reduced weigh and was simpler and more flexible. That was more than 30 years ago. The old

  • CENTAF releases daily airpower summary

    Coalition aircraft flew 34 close-air-support missions Dec. 22 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities. Air Force F-15 Eagles provided close air support to

  • CENTAF releases daily airpower summary report

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary. Coalition aircraft flew 54 close-air-support missions Dec. 21 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt

  • CENTAF releases daily airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary. Coalition aircraft flew 46 close-air-support missions Dec. 20 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary. Coalition aircraft flew 50 close-air-support missions Dec. 19 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt

  • CENTAF releases combined daily airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's combined airpower summary. Coalition aircraft flew 50 close-air-support missions Dec. 18 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and

  • 'Hat-in-the-Ring Gang' says goodbye to its Eagles

    The 94th Fighter Squadron flew its last F-15 Eagle sortie today, marking the squadron’s official evolution to F-22A Raptor operations. The “Hat-in-the-Ring Gang” is the second squadron at Langley to convert from the F-15C/D -- a strictly air-to-air fighter -- to the Raptor, which has air-to-ground

  • CENTAF releases daily airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary. Coalition aircraft flew 68 close-air-support missions Dec. 15 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt

  • F-22A Raptor goes operational

    The F-22A Raptor -- Air Force’s most advanced weapon system -- is ready for combat, Air Force officials announced here today. In reaching initial operational capability, the Raptor is certified ready for operational use. The first combat-ready Raptors are flying with the 27th Fighter Squadron of the

  • CENTAF releases daily airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary report.Coalition aircraft flew 60 close-air-support missions Dec. 14 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and

  • Pakistan gets two upgraded F-16s

    In the early 1980s, the Pakistan air force received its first F-16 Fighting Falcons from the United States. Since then, the maintenance support for the jets has been as unpredictable as world politics. It wasn't until late 2003 that the U.S. government agreed to assess Pakistan's F-16 fleet and

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released today's airpower summary report.Coalition aircraft flew 54 close-air support missions Dec. 13 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter

  • CENTAF releases its airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary.Coalition aircraft flew 53 close-air support missions Dec. 11 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary. Coalition aircraft flew 62 close-air support missions Dec. 7 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary.Coalition aircraft flew 58 close-air support missions Dec. 6 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt

  • CENTAF releases air power summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary. Coalition aircraft flew 46 close-air support missions Dec. 5 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt

  • Dynamic Weasel sharpens combat skills

    Exercise Operation Dynamic Weasel begins here today to hone the skills Airmen need for combat deployments. The exercise will sharpen tactics, techniques and procedural skills while practicing for combat situations, said Maj. Anthony Roberson, the 20th Operations Support Squadron director of

  • CENTAF releases its airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary.Coalition aircraft flew 59 close-air support missions Nov. 30 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary. Coalition aircraft flew 55 close-air support missions Nov. 29 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They supported coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities, and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist

  • Balad Airmen have sweeping task

    Keeping the busy airfield here free of debris is a lot of work -- and takes a lot of sweeping. But Airmen from the 332nd Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron airfield management flight and 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron pavements and equipment shop see it as a challenge. "We

  • Air Force releases F-16 accident report

    A fuel leak and fire caused an F-16 Fighting Falcon landing at Lamar Airport, Colo., June 28 to leave the runway and crash, the Air Force announced today. The pilot ejected from the aircraft and suffered minor injuries. There was no private property destroyed, and the airport sustained minor damage.

  • Team tests Joint Strike Fighter's survivability

    Members of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Integrated Test Force here are testing the chemical and biological survivability of the future jet. However, they are testing the decontamination processes on a retired F-16 Fighting Falcon. The aim is to find ways to return the fighter to service after

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today’s airpower summary. Coalition aircraft flew 40 close-air support missions Nov. 21 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today’s airpower summary. Coalition aircraft flew 39 close-air support and armed reconnaissance sorties Nov. 20 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They supported coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to

  • Leaders say Cope India 'great success'

    Exercise Cope India ‘06 ends Nov. 20, but U.S. and Indian air force leaders have already said the training has been a resounding success. The exercise, which began Nov. 7, involves Indian Airmen and about 250 U.S. Airmen from Pacific Air Forces bases. “Such exercises not only help in promoting

  • Commando Sling wraps up

    The first Commando Sling exercise of the fiscal year ended here today, wrapping up a month of air-to-air combat training. Nearly 80 members and their F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 14th Fighter Squadron at Misawa Air Base, Japan, deployed to this island city state to square off against Singapore air

  • ‘Cop-pilots’ fly their own kind of plane

    The glamour of their “piloting” job may not match that of F-15 Eagle or F-16 Fighting Falcon “fighter jocks.” But a group of enlisted Airmen here are using their wings to do a job both kinds of pilots do -- provide base security through air superiority. The half-dozen Airmen -- 407th Expeditionary

  • Air Force fighters strike insurgents

    Air Force F-15 Eagles, F-16 Fighting Falcons and MQ-1 Predators flew air strikes against anti-Iraqi forces near the Iraq-Syria border in support of Operation Steel Curtain. After Marines swept into Ubaydi, a town near Karabilah, Nov. 14, they came in contact with anti-Iraqi forces. The F-15s flew in

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today’s airpower summary. Coalition aircraft flew 58 close air support and armed reconnaissance sorties Nov. 14 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and

  • U.S., Indian controllers on scope

    Looking at the radar, the four F-16 Fighting Falcons were clearly outnumbered as 12 opposition aircraft closed in to fire their weapons. An E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control systems aircrew started relaying coordinates, preparing the pilots for their impending battle.However, this time

  • American, Indian Airmen ‘mix it up’

    For the first time, U.S. pilots faced the Indian Air Force’s most advanced, and newest, fighter -- the Su-30 MKI -- during an exercise Cope India 06 mission here. F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots Capt. Martin “Gabby” Mentch and 1st Lt. Robert “Pipes” Stimpson were the first to mix it up with the Su-30s

  • Maintainers keeping F-16s soaring over India

    Cleaned, inspected and fully maintained, 12 neatly aligned F-16 Fighting Falcons stand poised for their daily battle. Beside them, their adversary -- an assortment of Indian Air Force MiGs, Mirages and Su-30s -- are also ready for the day’s dissimilar air combat training. The jets are all taking

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary

    Officials at U.S. Central Command Air Forces released today’s airpower summary. Coalition aircraft flew 58 close air support and armed reconnaissance sorties Nov. 8 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities,

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary

    Officials at U.S. Central Command released today’s airpower summary. Coalition aircraft flew 53 close air support and armed reconnaissance sorties Nov. 7 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. The missions included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and

  • Eagles, Raptors team to deter ‘attack’

    Every day, F-15 Eagle instructor pilots here teach dozens of student pilots how to fight and win in combat. But the instructors rarely get a chance to showcase their own warfighting skills. Fortunately, some 1st Fighter Squadron instructors got a chance to test their skills against the toughest and

  • U.S., Indian Airmen take next step in growing relationship

    The U.S. and Indian air forces opened the next chapter in their growing relationship when exercise Cope India 2006 began here Nov. 7.About 250 Airmen from Pacific Air Forces join several hundred of their Indian counterparts for the two-week, dissimilar air combat training exercise in which simulated

  • CENTAF releases today's airpower summary

    Officials at U.S. Central Air Force have released today's airpower summary. Coalition aircraft flew 50 close air support and armed reconnaissance sorties Nov. 6 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities, and

  • 23rd EFS protects Baltic skies

    Providing security over the Baltic countries of Eastern Europe is no easy task.But the 23rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron is constantly training, even while deployed, to effectively address any airborne threats to the area. The 23rd EFS is provides 24-hour air policing coverage over Lithuania,

  • CENTAF airpower summary for Nov. 3

    U.S. Central Air Force's airpower summary for today is: Coalition aircraft flew 36 close-air support and armed reconnaissance sorties Nov. 2 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter

  • Joint Fires Center of Excellence begins training

    The Joint Fires Center of Excellence opened its doors Oct. 17 as the U.S. military’s only Europe-based joint firepower education center. The U.S. Air Forces in Europe-inspired initiative is designed to enhance close air support operations by providing a convenient training environment for

  • USCENTAF air power summary for Nov. 2

    U.S. Central Air Force's air power summary for today is: Coalition aircraft flew 34 close air support and armed reconnaissance sorties Nov. 1 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions included support to Coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities, and operations to

  • Reservists clean house, increase F-16 capability

    Desire and motivation drove 14 Reserve Airmen to turn a barely functional back shop into one of two fully functional avionic intermediate shops here. The revamped work center allowed the staff to double the improved avionic intermediate repair capabilities. The reservists deployed here from

  • Cope Thunder 06-01 challenges end

    The first winter Cope Thunder ended here Oct. 20 and aircrews found the weather was their main adversary. But the weather at this remote base -- which grounded many missions -- is exactly why exercise planners picked it to host Pacific Air Force’s premier combat airpower exercise, said Col. Bob

  • Homestead prepares for Hurricane Wilma

    The 482nd Fighter Wing is preparing for Hurricane Wilma. Airmen here are evacuating fighter jets and officials are coordinating with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for potential hurricane-relief operations. Six F-16 Fighting Falcons evacuated to Dobbins Air Force Base, Ga., and three

  • General Smith to head U.S. Joint Forces Command

    Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld announced Oct. 20 that President George W. Bush nominated Lt. Gen. Lance L. Smith for appointment to the rank of general with assignment as commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command. General Smith is currently deputy commander of U.S. Central Command at MacDill Air

  • Hurricane Hunters fly into record season

    Despite being displaced and working out of a temporary home, the men and women of the Hurricane Hunters are flying missions to track Hurricane Wilma. The Hurricane Hunters,  of Air Force Reserve Command’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, flew a WC-130J into Wilma measuring top sustained winds

  • Wife's song provides encouragement to spouse, others during separation

    Heather Wagner watched intently as the dramatic scene played out on her television screen.A Soldier was deploying. And there by the departure gate, his wife and children hugged and kissed their goodbyes as tears cascaded down their faces. As Heather's gaze drifted from the television to her husband,

  • 'Makos' in sky help warriors on ground

    The sky above Balad Air Base was thick with dust and sand when four F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots completed another mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.They were headed to their deployed home at Balad Oct. 17 when they were eventually diverted here.  Their mission started early that morning,

  • AFMC air logistics centers garner Shingo Prize

    Industry leaders recognized Air Force Materiel Command's three air logistics centers for their practical implementation of Lean Transformation practices, ensuring America's warfighters success on the job. Lean is a methodology designed to create value, eliminate waste and allow an organization to

  • Wright-Patterson celebrates an essential step in aviation

    One-hundred years of practical flight were celebrated Oct. 5 on the grounds Orville and Wilbur Wright used to test their legendary Wright Flyer -- launching an aviation era. Mark Dusenberry, pilot and creator of the world's only exact replica of the 1905 Wright Flyer, re-visited the historic moment,

  • First Danish female fighter pilot continues training

    When Denmark graduated its first female fighter pilot, it was a special moment for the country. Now she is going through the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program here.Although a few other women began the program with her, 2nd Lt. Line Bonde was the only one to make it through Denmark’s

  • Relief supplies, people continue arriving at Ellington Field

    More than 100 tons of relief supplies have left this airfield for hurricane-affected Gulf Coast areas via CH-47 Chinook helicopters since Sept. 24. The airfield, which is the central hub for Texas relief operations, is home to the 147th Fighter Wing and its fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcon jets. Wing

  • Ellington Field ramps up for relief operations

    Airmen who rode out Hurricane Rita at Ellington Field -- near Galveston -- left shelters there to set up an airlift hub to help storm relief efforts.The 147th Fighter Wing cleaned up storm debris Sept. 24 hours after the storm passed through. And by the time the weather cleared enough for flight

  • Lessons learned aid preparation for Hurricane Rita

    With Airmen still working recovery efforts from Hurricane Katrina, the Air Force prepares for the second major hurricane to hit the Gulf Coast in just over three weeks.Lessons were learned from Hurricane Katrina, and the Air Force wasted no time in implementing them.Airlift aircraft and helicopters

  • Texas guardsmen provide back-to-back hurricane assistance

    Texas Air National Guardsmen returning home from Hurricane Katrina duty had just enough time to catch up on sleep before receiving the order to repack their bags.Now they are preparing to deal with the aftermath of another hurricane, but this time it will hit closer to home. Hurricane Rita is

  • Air Force mobilizes for Hurricane Rita

    As Hurricane Rita churns through the Gulf of Mexico, the Air Force is mobilizing forces in anticipation of the storm hitting the Texas Gulf Coast.The Category 5 hurricane -- some are already calling it a “monster storm” -- could make landfall near Galveston by late Sept. 23 or early Sept. 24,

  • U.S., Indian air forces continue building relationship

    U.S. and Indian air forces took the latest step in their growing relationship recently when six Indian Airmen were here for a weeklong visit, while two U.S. Airmen visited their counterparts in India.Two Indian pilots, two air traffic controllers and two safety officers spent time learning about

  • Edwards Airmen help 'Monk' solve mystery

    When most people watch an episode of the USA Network TV show "Monk," they see an obsessive-compulsive detective, but may never realize the hundreds of people it takes to bring this character to life.In the same way, many people see an F-16 Fighting Falcon fly over Dodger stadium during pre-game

  • Recapitalization highlighted at AFA conference

    Modernizing and investing in the aircraft inventory and technology is an ongoing process that will never go away, said the Air Force's senior-most civilian and military leaders.During the Air Force Association's 2005 Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 12, Air Force Chief

  • Geren: AF fighting three wars

    The Air Force is now fighting three "wars," said the service's senior-most civilian leader. Those three wars are the war on terrorism, the effort to provide disaster relief in the United States, and the push for reform of the Air Force acquisition process, said Pete Geren, acting Secretary of the

  • Taking care of Air Force families in Katrina's wake

    "I have U.S. Air Force on my uniform, he has U.S. Air Force on his. That's enough for me," said Col. Scott Walker about why he had no worries about inviting an Airman and his family displaced by Hurricane Katrina to stay with him.The colonel was talking about the base's "Adopt-a-Family" program,

  • Flyover to honor chief of staff change

    Old and new fighter aircraft will perform a farewell flyover for the outgoing Air Force chief and welcome the new chief during a ceremony at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on Sept. 2.Gen. John P. Jumper, the current Air Force chief of staff, will retire and pass the flag to the current vice chief of