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U.S. Air Force News

  • Kadena Airman named enlisted aviator of year

    A staff sergeant assigned to the 390th Intelligence Squadron was named the Air Force's noncommissioned officer recipient of the 2008 Henry "Red" Erwin Enlisted Aviator of the Year June 12. "It was an honor to even be considered for this award, since there are many other just as, if not more

  • Kadena Airmen aerovac patients in need

    Airmen from the 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron here aerovaced a patient on a KC-135 Stratotanker Dec. 18 from Yokota Air Base, Japan. Members of the 18th AES travel throughout the Pacific picking up critical patients and transporting them to hospitals that can meet their needs.Every week a

  • Kadena Airmen aid Indonesian recovery operations

    Members of the 353rd Special Operations Group from here are supporting humanitarian relief operations near Padang in western Indonesia after a 7.6 magnitude earthquake and a slightly smaller one struck Sept. 29 and Oct. 1. Members of the 320th Special Tactics Squadron and 17th Special Operations

  • Kadena Airmen aid injured mariners

    Kadena Air Base Airmen provided medical assistance to two injured mariners aboard a Panamanian freighter Sept. 27 750 nautical miles north of the island of Saipan in the Pacific Ocean. Pararescuemen and members of the 320th Special Tactics Squadron left around 2:30 p.m. aboard an MC-130 flown by the

  • Kadena Airmen aid Philippine typhoon victims

    Airmen from Kadena Air Base, Japan, are helping the Philippines recover from the devastating effects of a series of typhoons that have left 1,400 dead or missing and displaced about 170,000 people.Several “super” typhoons hit the island nation in the past few weeks, devastating areas of Luzon, the

  • Kadena Airmen clean up after 60-hour typhoon

    Cabin fever, lock down and boredom.These are just a few of the words that were being used to describe their time during Typhoon Muifa, but not for all Airmen here. More than 125 Airmen from the 18th Civil Engineer Group were on duty during and after the slow-moving yet destructive typhoon."During

  • Kadena Airmen 'deploy' to Guam

    Nearly 100 maintenance, operations, and support personnel arrived here Aug. 31 as part of a test of the deployment capabilities of the 18th Wing from Kadena Air Base, Japan.The timing of this deployment coincides with "Obon," which means reduced jet noise coming from the Kadena flight line and over

  • Kadena Airmen deploy to Thailand for Exercise Cope Tiger

    About 170 Kadena Air Base Airmen are deploying with 12 F-15 Eagles to Thailand to participate in Exercise Cope Tiger 2009 from March 9 through 20. The F-15s from the 44th Fighter Squadron here will fly alongside their Thai air force counterparts as well as the Singaporean air force and other U.S.

  • Kadena Airmen ensure link to the world

    Although they are not in the thick of things handing out food and supplies, Airmen from the 18th Communications Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Japan, said that the parade of huge lumbering aircraft that come and go from here, only validates how their mission affects the success of relief

  • Kadena Airmen help Sri Lanka tsunami victims

    Airman 1st Class Emily Starcher does not have to be reminded how important her mission is here in Sri Lanka -- she sees it everyday.There is nothing but wrecked homes and destroyed buildings along coastal towns here, she said. Town after town was wiped away by the Dec. 26 tsunamis.She is an HH-60

  • Kadena Airmen live life of Japan self defense force

    Six Kadena Air Base NCOs recently had the opportunity to experience what life is like in the Japan Air Self Defense Force. As part of the NCO Bilateral Exchange Program they traveled in JASDF aircraft Dec. 5 to Tsuiki Air Base in mainland Japan. There, they spent nine days living and working

  • Kadena Airmen participate in Japanese cultural ceremony

    Several Kadena Air Base Airmen participated in a traditional Japanese New Year celebration at the conclusion of a weeklong training exercise Dec. 12 at Japan Air Self Defense Force's Chitose Air Base in Hokkaido, Japan. Five of the approximately 70 Kadena AB Airmen training at the Japanese base

  • Kadena Airmen pay tribute to MC-130P retirement

    From providing helicopter air-to-air refueling to conducting long-range support of special operations forces, the MC-130P Combat Shadow has provided a critical service to the U.S. military for nearly 50 years.

  • Kadena Airmen provide relief to Minot flood victims

    Members of Kadena Air Base gathered for a 5K fundraiser Sept. 1 to help Airmen and their families who were affected by recent flooding at Minot Air Force Base, N.D.In what was called a "100-year flood," more than 10,000 residents of the town as well as nearly 1,000 Airmen were displaced by record

  • Kadena Airmen ready for visiting Raptors

    As Kadena Air Base officials get ready to host 12 F-22 Raptors for the fighters' first overseas deployment, the base's most important focus right now is their readiness stance. "That readiness gives us piece and stability in the region," said Brig. Gen. Harold W. Moulton, 18th Wing commander. "And

  • Kadena Airmen rescue stranded surfer

    A day of surfing in Okinawa could have turned deadly for a Marine Corps family member the evening of Aug. 5 had it not been for the quick efforts of Airmen here.An HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter crew jumped into action after the Japanese coast guard asked Kadena's 18th Wing for assistance in finding a

  • Kadena Airmen see mobility surge due to volcanic activity

    As a result of continued volcanic activity in Iceland, some Air Mobility Command aircraft are being re-routed through the Pacific on their way to support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. As the keystone of the Pacific, Kadena Air Base is one of the bases providing en route support for C-5

  • Kadena Airmen shine on 'Jeopardy!'

    The answer is, "Video clues taped at Kadena Air Base." The question is, "What will be featured on the Sept. 27 episode of the long-running game show 'Jeopardy!'?" The show will honor the Air Force's 60th anniversary with video clues and an Air Force questions panel who will highlight current Air

  • Kadena Airmen teach English to Japanese Airmen

    In a combat environment communication between allies is important. That’s why more than 25 Kadena Airmen practiced English communication with Japan Air Self Defense Force Airmen preparing to deploy to Southwest Asia recently. Kadena Airmen -- from senior airmen to major -- paired up with their

  • Kadena Airmen test readines during exercise

    Kadena Air Base Airmen processed cargo and personnel, donned gas masks, launched aircraft and searched for downed aircrew as part of a base exercise March 22 through 26 here.The local operational readiness exercise, Beverly High 10-02, was designed to prepare Airmen to defend Japan and maintain

  • Kadena Airmen visit orphanage in Philippines

    Kadena Air Base Airmen visited an orphanage in Angeles City, Pampanga in the Philippines Jan. 19 before returning home from an overnight mission supporting U.S. Army forces deployed for Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines. Members of the 353rd Special Operations Group, 17th Special Operations

  • Kadena Airmen visit school children during training

    A dozen Airmen from Kadena Air Base visited students at Runbini Kindergarten in Omitama City, Ibaraki Prefecture Feb. 1.The Airmen are part of an American contingent operating from Hyakuri Air Base for an aviation training relocation on mainland Japan."This is a great chance for the children to have

  • Kadena Airmen volunteer time to Japanese children

    Fifteen Airmen from the 18th Wing here used their native English skills to connect with 60 children at a Japanese preschool Feb. 26 while temporarily deployed to the Japan Air Self Defense Force's Nyutabaru Air Base in Miyazaki Prefecture. The children, ages 3 to 6 years old, at Isshin preschool

  • Kadena Airmen wrap up largest avionics training relocation

    Twelve F-15 Eagles and about 180 from here are wrapping up two weeks of bilateral training with Japan Air Self Defense Force members at Chitose Air Base in northern Japan. The aviation training relocation program is designed to increase operational readiness and interoperability between U.S. and

  • Kadena athlete trains for Ironman

    Stealing a page out of contemporary military doctrine, Shawn Hnatko trains like he will fight. His war will be Oct. 18 on Hawaii’s Big Island and will last more than 10 hours. His enemy is also his only ally -- himself.“Ten hours is a long time to battle the demons,” he said of his date with the

  • Kadena begins selective arming program

    Kadena Air Base Airmen not assigned to security forces are now redefining the meaning of force protection by taking up weapons and the training that goes along with it to protect base resources. A few units have already completed training with members of the 18th Security Forces Squadron through the

  • Kadena captain dies near Sunabe seawall

    A captain assigned to the 18th Medical Support Squadron died here around 1:30 p.m. Oct. 9. Capt. Amy Brown went unconscious shortly after surfacing at a dive spot on the Sunabe seawall. The medical readiness flight commander was rushed to Camp Lester Naval Hospital, Japan, by local authorities, but

  • Kadena children get deployment experience

    With a mobility bag slung heavily over one shoulder, the petite “Tech. Sgt.” Natasha Dumpert stands in a deployment line waiting for her immunizations before setting off for a deployment to Iraq.Oh, by the way, Natasha is 8-years-old and her immunizations are jellybeans.Natasha, along with more than

  • Kadena DFAC staff gives menu 'heads up' on Twitter

    Kadena's dining facility staff has found a new use for social networking websites to keep Airmen informed."When people ask us where the menu is, we tell them it's now on Twitter," said Tech. Sgt. Lacey D. Brown, the 18th Force Support Squadron Marshall Dining Facility manager. "Now you can (view) it

  • Kadena F-15 accident information released

    Air Force investigators have determined a pilot's loss of situational awareness, spatial disorientation and faulty flight control inputs led to the Aug. 21 crash of an F-15C Eagle into the ocean south of Kadena Air Base, Japan.The pilot, 1st Lt. Chris Northam, ejected safely from the aircraft with

  • Kadena F-15 pilots train to keep talons sharp

    Despite the Air Force-wide stand down of F-15 Eagles, Kadena Air Base pilots are maintaining their skills and capabilities through virtual means. Members of the 18th Operations Support Squadron and Boeing civilian contractors with the unit have stepped up and provided increased time in flight

  • Kadena F-15s returning to flight

    Officials from the 18th Wing anticipate resuming flight operations here Jan. 14 as 39 Kadena Air Base F-15 C and D model Eagles are cleared to fly again after remaining on the ground for more than two months as a result of a fleetwide stand-down. The order to resume flight operations came from Gen.

  • Kadena Facebook site gives real-time storm updates

    Typhoon Kompasu may not have punched much of a storm surge here, but there was a tidal wave of activity on the Kadena Air Base Facebook page.Kadena AB's official Facebook page swelled from around 400 "friends" before the storm to nearly 1,500 "friends" Aug. 31, demonstrating just how powerful the

  • Kadena fuels flight powers through to earn API award

    The 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Japan, recently won the prestigious American Petroleum Institute award. The annual API award, which has been around for 50 years, honors the top active-duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve fuels management flight in recognition of

  • Kadena generators installed at Misawa

    Staff Sgt. Ryan Miller and Airman First Class Jessica Ball, connect power cables from a generator to the main breaker at Misawa Inn March 14, 2011, at Misawa Air Base, Japan. Members of the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron were deployed from Kadena Air Base, Japan, to help with base recovery efforts.

  • Kadena hosts Special Olympics

    More than 1,500 volunteers from different branches of the U.S. military and the local community helped with the 2007 Special Olympic Games June 24 held for the eighth year at Kadena Air Base. More than 900 athletes and 200 artists gathered for one of Japan's biggest events. The volunteers helped in

  • Kadena joins in sending aid to Philippines

    Following the devastation throughout the Philippines, due to Super Typhoon Haiyan, which hit six central islands Nov. 8, Kadena Air Base has joined the U.S. Pacific Command in the effort to deliver aid to the country.

  • Kadena launches Pacific region's first MC-130J five-ship formation flight

    Instead of the usual howl of jet engines, members of Kadena Air Base heard the growl of 120 turboprop blades chopping the air as the 17th Special Operations Squadron’s MC-130J Commando IIs dominated the airfield scene Feb. 17. Within an hour of standing by at stations, the aircraft took to the skies

  • Kadena maintainers train on Japanese equipment during exercise

    Maintainers from the 67th Aircraft Maintenance Unit here worked alongside their Japanese hosts Oct. 2 to learn how to use aerospace ground equipment during an aviation training relocation exercise at Hyakuri Air Base, Japan. The Airmen trained on the Japan Air Self Defense Forces' AGE, which they

  • Kadena medics deploy on Mercy mission

    Airmen from the 18th Medical Group deployed May 22 to Pacific Partnership 2008, a joint mission with the Navy aboard the hospital ship Mercy. The medics flew to Guam where they boarded the U.S. Navy Ship Mercy and will sail with her for the next three months bringing humanitarian and civic

  • Kadena medics gain knowledge while deployed

    Aeromedical nurses and technicians here are helping save hundreds of servicemembers’ who are supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Aside from tending to the sick and wounded, these Airmen are gaining invaluable experience working in a multiservice operation, and treating injuries

  • Kadena medics provide lifeline in air

    Capt. Donna Hornberger held a satellite phone as her aircraft headed for an unknown airport in the middle of the night during a medical evacuation mission from Saipan. Their mission, she said, was to help a severely injured young child who was run over by a truck. The child was in critical

  • Kadena members may be in 'Jeopardy'

    The host of the "Jeopardy" television game show visited Kadena Air Base March 31 to meet the military members here and search for future contestants as part of a USO-sponsored tour of military bases in the Pacific region. "There are military members stationed all around the world and some of them

  • Kadena NCO Academy trains joint partners

    NCO Academy officials here bridged culture gaps of more than one kind recently as they graduated two Japan Air Self Defense Force NCOs as well as noncoms from each of the three sister U.S. military services. The PME center, which routinely educates JASDF and sister service NCOs, operates the

  • Kadena NCO court-martialed for child porn

    A non-commissioned officer recently received nine months confinement, reduction in rank to airman basic and a bad conduct discharge for possessing and displaying child pornography here. Staff Sergeant Jason M. Hooks, 18th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, pleaded guilty to the charges before a military

  • Kadena NCO fit for life

    "Mom! You know you're not supposed to eat that," 6-year-old Nadiya Young said after watching her mother open a bag of chips. "Can I just have a few chips then," asked Tech. Sgt. Ashaunettae Pollard-Young, a senior director technician for Kadena's 623rd Air Control Flight. "They look so good." As

  • Kadena officials go to great lengths for OPSEC

    Members of the 18th Wing operations security team are going to extremes to ensure wing members adhere to OPSEC principles. The team members randomly visit units on base and dive into the dumpsters to try and find sensitive material that has been thrown away, as part of an overall effort to raise

  • Kadena personnel bank $10,000 for ingenuity

    Undersecretary of the Air Force Erin Conaton urged anyone employed by the U.S. federal government to search for and identify any areas that could cut wasteful spending, according to a message published in July 2011."Over the past two years, 56,000 ideas have been submitted through the Securing

  • Kadena pilot in good condition

    An F-15 Eagle from the 44th Fighter Squadron here crashed at approximately 10 a.m. today during an air-to-air training mission. The location of the crash site was at an area known as W-173, an over-water training zone about 65 miles (55 nautical miles) northeast of here. The fighter jet was part of

  • Kadena prepares for typhoon

    Kadena Air Base members are bracing for Typhoon Man-Yi as its current path will pass over Okinawa, base weather officials said. With the advance notification, base units have started typhoon preparation for Okinawa's first typhoon this year. Right now it should hit the island sometime the morning of

  • Kadena recovers from Typhoon Jelawat

    Despite predictions from various weather sources that Typhoon Jelawat would overlook Okinawa, Kadena Air Base was pounded with an estimated 23 inches of heavy rain fall for nearly 24 hours and experienced sustained winds greater than 85 mph last weekend."Initially, the typhoon was expected to flow

  • Kadena recovers from Typhoon Man-Yi

    After more than 24 hours in the highest typhoon condition and with winds gusting up to 105 mph, Kadena Air Base is recovering from Typhoon Man-Yi. The base entered the highest typhoon condition July 12 with the expectation the typhoon would hit the island sometime July 13. The typhoon hit the base

  • Kadena Special Olympics allows kids to be heros

    Thousands of volunteers, supporters and special-needs athletes and artists from all over Japan, came to Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 17 to participate in or support the 13th annual Kadena Special Olympics."This is an opportunity for the two communities to meet in joint service to the athletes and

  • Kadena Special Olympics creates bond for new Airman

    The excitement at Kadena Air Base's Risner Fitness Complex peaked Nov. 6 as the 837 athletes participating in the Kadena Special Olympics took the field. There weren't many more excited than one Airman from the 18th Munitions Squadron.Airman 1st Class Matthew Renfro, originally from Spokane, Wash.,

  • Kadena squadrons relocate to Guam for training

    Service members, aircraft and equipment from the 44th Fighter Squadron, 909th Air Refueling Squadron and 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron temporarily repositioned to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, June 18, as part of an aviation training relocation mission.

  • Kadena takes ‘pride’ in revamping F-15 fleet

    Some of the F-15 Eagle fleet’s oldest jets are getting a second chance at life here, thanks to a $5.2 million upgrade program. During the next year, Kadena Eagles will receive a microscopic inspection called "Pride Dock" by Department of Defense contractors and Airmen from the 18th Maintenance

  • 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

  • Kadena wins federal-level award with help from 'The Energy Guy'

    They call him the Energy Guy and he's one of the main reasons that Kadena was recently awarded the 2009 Federal Energy and Water Management Award. Mr. John Muckey, a 718th Civil Engineer Squadron resource efficiency manager, is a regular Joe without superpowers or spandex. He's been a hard charger

  • Kadena wins White House recycling award

    The Pacific Air Forces' largest air base recently won a federal government environmental award. Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, was awarded the 2007 White House Closing the Circle Award for recycling. The Closing the Circle awards recognize the significant contributions and positive impacts of

  • Kadena's conservation efforts net federal award

    For the second consecutive year, civil engineers here have been awarded a federal energy and water management award for their aggressive conservation efforts on Okinawa.In 2009, the 718th Civil Engineer Squadron was honored for having one of the best 2008 energy efficiency and energy programs within

  • Kadena's hospital gets a check-up

    Patients at the Kadena clinic can rest a little easier knowing clinic staff members are doing all they can to make sure they get the best care possible. The 18th Medical Group recently underwent two simultaneous evaluations. The hospital was scored on the nine functional areas of the medical field,

  • Kadena's K-9 warriors go airborne

    The ability to cope with anxiety and stress is an important skill for today's expeditionary Airmen as they face more frequent deployments in combat conditions. Recently, Airmen from the 18th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, the 33rd Rescue Squadron and 18th Security Forces Squadron teamed up to help

  • Kaiserslautern community remembers, celebrates fallen Airman

    Members of the Kaiserslautern Military Community and local host nation leaders gathered here March 10 to pay respect to one of their own during a memorial ceremony in Hangar 3.People from throughout the KMC joined Airmen and local nationals in the 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron to bid farewell to

  • Kaiserslautern team takes on Little League World Series again

    The 11- and 12-year-old Kaiserslautern Military Community All-Star team made its second consecutive trip to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa., after winning the Europe Region Tournament Aug. 3.This is the sixth time a team from Ramstein Air Base has earned a spot in the tournament

  • Kandahar advisers empower Afghan maintainers

    In the difficult-to-traverse landscape of Afghanistan the MI-17 helicopter has proven to be a valuable asset to air operations in the war-ravaged country. The aircraft has proven itself in missions ranging from supplying distant outposts to providing overwatch for coalition forces.Operating in such

  • Kandahar advisers empower Afghan maintainers

    In the difficult-to-traverse landscape of Afghanistan the MI-17 helicopter has proven to be a valuable asset to air operations in the war-ravaged country. The aircraft has proven itself in missions ranging from supplying distant outposts to providing overwatch for coalition forces.Operating in such

  • Kandahar Air Wing achieves medical evacuation milestone

    A combined team of Afghan air force and coalition members conducted the first dedicated Mi-17 medical evacuation mission April 11 here. The team moved an Afghan National Army officer, who incurred a compound leg fracture, from Camp Bastion back to Kandahar.The planning for the inaugural mission

  • Kandahar Air Wing fire department continues basic fire training

     Members of the Kandahar fire department, in conjunction with the 683rd Army Fire Department detachment continued basic three-level training on base with Afghan airmen here recently.Officials said the training curriculum is modeled after the National Fire Protection Association and there are three

  • Kandahar Airmen airdrop supplies to troops, prepare for troop increase

    Airmen of the 772nd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron here dropped 56 containerized delivery systems over three different drop zones within Afghanistan from the same aircraft Jan. 27 to support Operation Enduring Freedom warfighters."It's more bundles than we've ever been able to drop in one day," said

  • Kandahar Airmen complete 265,000 push ups

    Sixty-three members of the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing completed a total of 265,597 push ups throughout the month of November.Nov. 30 ended the wing's 30-day challenge in which Airmen were challenged to complete 10,000 push ups between Nov. 1 through 30. Tech. Sgt. Jason Whitehorn, of the 451st AEW

  • Kandahar Airmen fly missions of mercy

    They are the "Angels of the Battlefield," medics dedicated to transporting wounded U.S. and coalition servicemembers, as well as locals to the medical care they need. "It's our job to take care of these wounded warriors," said Maj. Dawn Rice, a flight nurse and medical director assigned to the 451st

  • Kandahar Airmen focus on safety

    Members of the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing Safety Office here work around the clock to keep safety hazards to a minimum.There are three disciplines: weapons, ground and flight safety, and members of each discipline conduct inspections, program evaluations and mishap investigations. They also

  • Kandahar Airmen protect servicemembers from IEDs

    Improvised explosive devices kill people. The vast majority of military members serving in combat make it a point to go out of their way to avoid them. For the Air Force explosive ordnance disposal team at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, they make it a point to go out of their way to find them.

  • Kandahar Airmen use AFSO 21 at war

    Members of the 451st Expeditionary Maintenance Group here took the first steps on its continuous process improvement journey by initiating a rapid improvement event in the A-10 Thunderbolt II phase inspection shelter. Using Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century principles, the Airmen took

  • Kandahar graduates basic flight medics

     Four medics recently graduated at the Kandahar Air Wing from the first Afghan air force Basic Flight Medic course, boosting the Afghan medical response capability. According to medical professionals, the goal of the 40-hour course was to combine ground and flight medical training to produce a

  • Kandahar members run for charity

    More than 500 servicemembers participated in a fundraiser that raised more than $9,000 for the Wounded Explosive Ordnance Disposal Warrior Foundation March 21 here.Racers either did a 5-kilometer run, a 10-kilometer run, or a biathlon where runners completed a 5K run followed by another 5K run with

  • Kandahar pararescuemen poised to save lives

    Rescue specialists in southern Afghanistan say their primary reason for living is to prevent others from dying.Based out of Kandahar Air Field, the 59th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron is ultimately tasked with rescuing downed aircrew and others in isolated areas.“Luckily, that doesn’t happen too

  • Kandahar remembers fallen heroes with memorial ceremony

    The men and women of the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing came together during a remembrance ceremony here July 13 to honor the Airmen assigned to the wing's area of operations who paid the ultimate sacrifice.While deployed to Kandahar Airfield in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, 13 Airmen lost

  • Kandahar team provides ammunition to win the fight

    With a munitions stockpile of 560 line items worth more than $11 million, the job of providing weapons to warfighters at Kandahar Airfield falls to a three-man flight. "We maintain and provide munitions to U.S. and coalition forces," said Master Sgt. James Bradley, the munitions accountable systems

  • Kandahar's Liberty operations reach end of mission

    After four years of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, the 361st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron will complete their MC-12W Liberty operations in southern Afghanistan at the beginning of September 2014.

  • Kansas Air National Guard members build hospital in Haiti

    The bright clothing, smiles and conversation could be taking place in any hospital lobby in the world. Patients are being admitted, treated and released. But a flurry of French and the grinding whirl of a helicopter nearby reveal the reality that this is Haiti. A brutal sun burns over the tent,

  • Kansas Air National Guardsman completes first online retirement

    A Kansas Air National Guardsman was the first Guard Airman to complete the new online Air Force retirement process, which became mandatory April 15. Tech. Sgt. Kenneth L. Ellis, of the 190th Civil Engineer Squadron, applied for retirement using the system March 15, the day the process went live, and

  • Kansas ANG home of newest intelligence center

    Kansas became home to "America's newest intelligence center," the largest intelligence processing center in the Air National Guard, on Aug. 16.The state-of-the-art Distributed Ground System intelligence facility at McConnell Air Force Base will be the permanent home to the Kansas ANG's 161st

  • Kansas Guard Airman innovates superior training method

    With a high deployment tempo and limited aircraft, finding the aircraft available for boom operators to practice tying down cargo to the floor of the jet was almost always a problem. Master Sgt. Nathan Neidhardt, 190th Operations Group aircrew training noncommissioned officer in charge, solved this

  • Kansas Jayhawks fly final sortie

    After 66 years of supporting a flying mission, the Kansas Air National Guard Flying Jayhawks celebrated their final squadron sortie here this weekend. In a ceremony attended by past and present unit members, Brig. Gen. Edward Flora, commander of the Kansas Air Guard and former 184th Wing commander,

  • Kardashians attend shower for military moms

    "Keeping up with the Kardashians" stars Kim, Kourtney and Khloé gave back to the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst community during an Operation Shower event for 64 new mothers July 7, in Jersey City, New Jersey.

  • Karl Bolt selected by Phillies in 15th round of MLB draft

    Recently graduated Air Force first baseman/outfielder Karl Bolt was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 15th round of the 2007 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft June 8. Bolt is the second Air Force Academy baseball player ever drafted in the 51-year history of the program. A four-year

  • Karl Malone guarantees POW/MIA recognition

    It is said that passionate people wear their hearts on their sleeves. For Los Angeles Lakers’ forward Karl Malone, he chooses to wear his on his shoe.There are more than 88,000 Americans still unaccounted for in all conflicts. The Lakers could sell out every home game and be well into the sixth

  • Katrina floodwaters a biohazard-laden ‘soup’

    Airmen who continue to fly search and rescue missions must protect themselves from a host of biohazards in the floodwaters from where they pluck survivors.Contact with the polluted water, now called “the soup,” can cause rashes, illness and disease, said Col. (Dr.) Lewis Neace, a reserve flight

  • Katrina shapes rescue mission

    On Aug. 29, 2005, the third-strongest hurricane ever to hit U.S soil made landfall on the Louisiana and Mississippi border. Soon after, rescue crews from here were called on to perform search and rescue on a scale previously unseen. "The Katrina relief effort was a benchmark for Air Force rescue,"

  • Katrina takes heavy toll at Keesler

    Hurricane Katrina smashed “a good 95 percent” of Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., turning it into a pile of debris and mud, said a base spokesperson.Lt. Col. Claudia Foss, 81st Training Wing public affairs officer, said water surges from the Gulf of Mexico and the Bay of Biloxi reached depths of five

  • Kazakhstan native selected for officer training

    Senior Airman Aigerim Akhmetova, a C-17 Globemaster III supply clerk from the 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron at Al Udied Air Base, Qatar, said she remembers waking up early to stand in line with her mother for loaves of bread while growing up in Kazakhstan when it was a Soviet republic.

  • KC-10 air refueling sorties vital to combat missions

    KC-10 Extender crews know how important every mission is; however, success is even sweeter when major barriers are overcome to launch just one mission.This was especially true as maintainers and operators at a forward-deployed location overcame one obstacle after another to launch a KC-10, allowing