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  • 'Today's Air Force' features Midwest flooding

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the efforts of Air and Army National guardsmen and the battle of what has been called, the 500-year flood. Guardsmen are working with local officials to re-enforce levees, keeping an evacuation mission from becoming a rescue mission. And RED

  • Officers may apply for Test Pilot School

    The next annual Air Force Test Pilot School Selection Board will convene Oct. 27 through 30 at the Air Force Personnel Center here, and officers interested in applying should submit their applications to AFPC by Sept. 15. The school trains pilots, navigators and engineers to develop, test and

  • Airmen donate medical equipment to Bulgarian hospital

    Airmen from Homestead Air Reserve Base recently raised $2,800 to purchase a new cardiac monitor for the children's ward at local hospital during a deployment to Graf-Isnatievo Air Base, Bulgaria. Reservists from the 482nd Fighter Wing deployed with 10 F-16 Fighting Falcons to train with Bulgarian

  • June 28 airpower summary: A-10s deter enemy forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations June 28, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fired cannon rounds and rockets onto

  • June 27 airpower summary: F-15s destroy enemy forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations June 27, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, B-1B Lancers dropped guided bomb unit-31s and 38s to

  • Veterans honor Berlin Airlift's 60th anniversary

    American, British and French veterans have returned to Germany to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift. Dr. Helmut Trotnow, the curator of the Allied Museum in Berlin, attributed part of the dissolution of the Soviet blockade to the U.S. armed forces involved in the airlift. "This

  • Air Force swimmers head to U.S. Olympic Trials

    Three current Air Force swimmers are set to participate in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials being held June 29 through July 6 in Omaha, Neb.U.S. Air Force Academy rising seniors Bryan Avery from Mililani, Hawaii, and Justin Day from Peyton, Colo., as well as rising sophomore Benjamin Gunn of

  • Memorial visit a family affair for top enlisted Airman, uncle

    When Army veteran Richard McKinley visited the World War II Memorial here for the first time June 24, the Air Force's top enlisted man -- his nephew -- was there to greet him. The Ohio resident was visibly moved by Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley, his brother's son, taking time

  • 'Sesame Street' coming to military installations

    Beloved "Sesame Street" characters like Elmo and Grover will visit more than 40 military installations this year to entertain families with a free one-hour show. The production, sponsored by United Service Organizations, travels across the country with the first show July 8. The tour is part of

  • June 26 airpower summary: B-1Bs bomb enemy vehicles

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations June 26, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force B-1B Lancers and F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided

  • C-130 makes emergency landing in Baghdad field

    The flight crew of a C-130 Hercules executed an emergency landing in a barren field northeast of Baghdad International Airport at about 1:45 p.m. local time June 27. All crewmembers and passengers are accounted for, and have been transported to nearby Sather Air Base, Iraq, for evaluation and any

  • Air Force officials announce OTS selection board results

    A total of 178 men and women from across America have earned an opportunity to become Air Force leaders following their selection for an officer's commission, officials here announced June 26. Air Force Recruiting Service officials considered 722 applications as part of Officer Training School

  • National Guard on duty from coast to coast

    About 2,300 Air and Army National Guard members remain on duty in the Midwest, down from a peak of more than 5,700, officials reported. Meanwhile, officials in California called for more aircraft to fight the wildfires. While the number of guardmembers needed on the ground went down, the number of

  • Airmen bring joy through cooking at Center for the Intrepid

    The apartment-style kitchen on the fourth floor of the Center for the Intrepid in San Antonio was bubbling with excitement June 24 as the sound of conversation and the smell of delicious foods permeated the air. The Center, located near Brooke Army Medical Center, provides traumatic amputee

  • June 25 airpower summary: A-10s destroy enemy forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations June 25, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped a guided bomb unit-12

  • Citizen Airmen prepare for war on fire

    Airmen, deployed to California for firefighting support, are getting ready to take the fight to nature's fury. "I'm proud both the Air Force Reserve and (Air National Guard) are able to support such a vital national mission," said Tech. Sgt. Scott Bailey, a loadmaster with the 302nd Airlift Wing at

  • South Korean army UAVs enhance training at Kunsan

    Airmen from the 8th Civil Engineer Squadron here and South Korean army soldiers teamed up for combined nuclear, biological and chemical training June 23 and 24 at Kunsan Air Base. The two-day training course presented the two forces with scenarios requiring them to protect and sustain mission

  • Berlin Airlift vets return to Germany for anniversary

    For 50 years, Dub Southers recalled the grueling hours he worked at an air base in northern Germany at the start of the Berlin Airlift, not the historical significance of what he helped achieve as a flight engineer and crew chief. He remembered well the stacks of coal being shipped in from local

  • 'Falcon' lands in Afghanistan

    The U.S. Air Forces Central band "Falcon" showcased its musical talents for audiences June 20 to 22 at Bagram Air Base. The band entertained attendees of the 455th Expeditionary Operations Group change-of-command ceremony with a variety of pop music before and after the ceremony. During the formal

  • Officials sign children's educational needs memo

    Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England and Deputy Education Secretary Raymond Simon signed a memorandum of understanding between their agencies at the Pentagon June 26 that addresses the quality of education and the unique challenges faced by children of military families. Hundreds of thousands of

  • Thunderbirds 'Soar into Solstice' at Eielson

    More than 6,000 people witnessed what the Air Force is all about during the 2008 Soaring into Solstice airshow June 24 at Eielson Air Force Base. On display for visitors to tour and take pictures of were an F-22 Raptor, F-16 Fighting Falcon, A-10 Thunderbolt II, KC-135 Stratotanker and UH-60 Black

  • Air Force officials announce library of the year winner

    Air Force Library Program officials announced the winner of the Air Force Library of the Year award June 12 here.The Eglin Base Library, with an eight-man staff, was recignized for their outstanding customer focus and satisfaction."Even in times of scarce budgets, we still aim to fulfill our

  • Air Force accepting physical therapist applications

    The Air Force is accepting applications until Nov. 21 for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, which begins October 2009 at the Health Science Center at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Only active-duty Airmen who possess a baccalaureate degree, or those who are in the final semester prior to receiving a

  • Doctor provides medical care in native country during mission

    "I see myself in their faces." These are the words of Maj. Victor Inga, an Air Force doctor participating in New Horizons-Peru 2008, a humanitarian mission providing relief for underprivileged Peruvians. Major Inga uttered these words seconds after he watched yet another young Peruvian boy walk

  • Entries sought for military essay contest

    The Military Officers Association of America is seeking entries for its inaugural Military Professional Essay Contest.  Essays may address any topic that has relevance to the association's stated mission of preserving a strong national defense. The contest is open to current, former and retired

  • Leaders eye dorm improvements

    Air Force leaders are currently looking at service dormitories to ensure first-term Airmen are living in facilities that meet standards. "Our Airmen's quality of life is a top priority for the Air Force," said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley, who recently collected photos and

  • Whiteman Airmen make first all-air Guard B-2 flight

    Airmen of the 131st Bomb Wing here completed the first B-2 Spirit sortie flown and launched by Missouri Air National Guard members June 18 at Whiteman Air Force Base. Col. Gregory Champagne, the 131st Fighter Wing vice commander, and Maj. David Thompson, a 131st FW pilot, were launched by Master

  • June 24 airpower summary: F-15Es strike enemy

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations June 24, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs

  • Radio up

    Senior Airman Michael Lee pieces together a high-frequency radio used for line of sight tactical radio communications June 21 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. The radio and new high-frequency anntena directly support ground operations for warfighters in Iraq. Airman Lee is a 332nd Expeditionary

  • Airman's Roll Call: leave management

    This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on leave management, and as many Airmen are aware of a few days away from work can have a beneficial effect them. Therefore, an aggressive leave program is an essential military requirement. A recent policy change increased the number of days members may accrue

  • 4 athletes with Air Force ties prepare for Olympic trials

    Four athletes with ties to the Air Force track and field program will travel and compete in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials starting June 27 at Eugene, Ore. Gunning for a spot on the U.S. team for the Olympics are Paul Gensic in the pole vault and Dana Pounds in the women's javelin throw, who are both

  • Program helps deployed Airmen with career decisions

    Expeditionary Top IV members here are helping Airmen to make major career decisions while deployed, and far away from career advisors and other personnel specifically trained to help.The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Top IV Mentor/Shadow Program, currently managed by Master Sgt. Judy Quintana, gives

  • Reserve pilots utilize A-10s in support of Total Force Integration

    Air Force Reserve Command pilots recently took flight in an A-10 Thunderbolt II here in support of an Air Force-wide initiative designed to integrate reservists, guardsmen and civilians with active-duty Airmen. The Total Force Integration initiative, which was established by Air Force officials at

  • Unit becomes Cyberspace Technical Center of Excellence

    The Air Force Institute of Technology and the Center for Cyberspace Research here were designated as the Air Force's Cyberspace Technical Center of Excellence June 19 by the secretary and chief of staff of the Air Force. The Cyberspace Technical Center of Excellence, or CyTCoE, is chartered to be

  • Servicemembers begin medical mission in Peru

    American servicemembers kicked-off medical mission New Horizons-Peru 2008, a U.S. and Peruvian humanitarian initiative scheduled through Aug. 31 to provide relief to underprivileged Peruvians.The humanitarian medical mission, currently staffed by 35 Air Force medics, will provide free medical care

  • Airmen to have more choices for death gratuity benefit

    Airmen will be able to select one or more persons of their choosing to receive death gratuity benefits beginning July 1. "This is a significant change to the (death gratuity) benefits election option for all Airmen," said Steven Kelley, the director of Air and Space Expeditionary Force Operations at

  • Reserve C-130s called in to fight California wildfires

    The Air Force Reserve Command's 302nd Airlift Wing here is scheduled to deploy two firefighting C-130 Hercules aircraft June 25 to battle raging wildfires in California. The Modular Airborne Firefighting System, or MAFFS, configured C-130s will be in place and fully-operational at Chico Municipal

  • AFCYBER headquarters staff to operate virtually

    Air Force Cyber Command officials announced their intent to spread out headquarters staffing among nine locations so it can meet the 45 percent manning requirements needed for initial operations. "Normally, a major command headquarters will house all its staff functions at one place, but because the

  • Stenner takes reins of Air Force Reserve

    Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner Jr. assumed command of the Air Force Reserve and its 68,000 members June 24 in a ceremony at the Air Force Memorial here. He succeeds Lt. Gen. John A. Bradley, who held the post since 2004. "I'm excited to lead the finest group of warriors I have ever known," General

  • Thule members support local medical evacuation

    Thule Air Base members recently provided critical medical care to a local Inuit woman after a stabbing in a nearby village. A medical evacuation was requested by the physician in Qaanaaq, a village of about 600 people located approximately 65 miles north of the base, to pick up a woman who had been

  • Guard aircraft, aircrews battling California wildfires

    Army and Air National Guardmembers from California and North Carolina were supporting firefighting efforts in Northern California June 24 following a state active duty call up by Gov. Arnold Schwarznegger and a request for airborne firefighting assets by the Interagency Fire Center. The governor's

  • Iraqi airmen reach maintenance goals, keep fleet soaring

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

  • Mullen urges Joint Staff to speed up warfighter support

    The nation's top military officer called on the Joint Staff today to speed up efforts to get new capabilities to warfighters and to focus on building capabilities needed to win not just the current war, but future wars as well. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told

  • Born of controversy: The GI Bill of Rights

    It has been heralded as one of the most significant pieces of legislation ever produced by the federal government, one that impacted the United States socially, economically and politically. But it almost never came to pass. The Servicemembers' Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly known as the GI Bill

  • Eglin team prepares Small Diameter Bombs for warfighters

    Guided munitions such as the Small Diameter Bomb have helped change the way wars are fought. SDBs, prepared by 681st Armament Systems Squadron members here, give aircrews the ability to destroy targets that would normally be passed over due to the proximity of friendly troops, civilians, structures

  • President nominates woman Army general for fourth star

    President Bush nominated Army Lt. Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody for promotion June 23, which, pending Senate approval, would make her the first woman to be a four-star officer in U.S. history. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced the president's nomination of General Dunwoody as the commander of Army

  • Cadets experience real-world deployment

    Nineteen cadets from the senior class of the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., are visiting the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing here during the month of June to experience an active-duty deployment as part of the academy's Operation Air Force program, which allows students to visit bases

  • Chairman calls homeless veterans 'hugely important issue'

    Calling the issue "hugely important," the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here June 23 that the nation must fully integrate efforts to help homeless veterans. "How do we reach out to them, and how do we create opportunities?" Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen asked an audience of about 200

  • Strategic Command units win awards

    Three U.S. Strategic Command units have been selected recently for the Omaha Trophy, which is presented annually to units demonstrating the highest standards of performance. Selection for the award is based on formal evaluations, meritorious achievement, safety, and other factors such as community

  • June 23 airpower summary: Tankers provide fuel

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations June 23, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-31s

  • Global Engagement readies Academy cadets for future

    Thirty subject matter experts from all over the United States are leading approximately 1,200 U.S. Air Force Academy cadets through intensive training with the Global Engagement course this summer here.The advantage to future Academy graduates in completing the course is that it gives cadets a

  • 'Today's Air Force' features deployments

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" focuses on Air Force deployments and ways to better prepare for them. The previous system was based on four-month deployments with some Airmen deploying earlier and longer than expected. The new Air and Space Expeditionary Force system splits the force into

  • Global Mobility Wargame explores future of air mobility

    Wartime planners from across the Air Force, Army and coalition nations investigated future concepts in air mobility through Global Mobility Wargame 2008 from June 16 to 20 at the Air Force Expeditionary Center here. First held in 2002, Global Mobility Wargame, or GLOMO, is an annual event bringing

  • New leaders take helm as Air University reorganizes

    Air University officials welcomed their new commander as well as one of the organization's newly minted centers of excellence also installed its new leader in a dual change-of-command ceremony June 23 at Maxwell Air Force Base's Air Park. The ceremony, which involved three successively-higher

  • Firefighters saving lives, money

    Kadena Air Base is now home to a rescue technician course designed to help Pacific-region firefighters save lives and at the same time save the Air Force dollars. The three week course is offered by Detachment 1, 554th Red Horse Squadron, who teaches firefighters how to manage personnel and

  • How, when to begin filling a civilian vacancy

    One way to cut down on the time needed to fill a civilian vacancy is to begin earlier, said Air Force Personnel Center officials here recently. "Supervisors can submit a request for personnel action at any time to their local civilian personnel office," said Cathy Smoak, a human resource specialist

  • Air Force prepared for largest virtual promotion release

    Air Force Personnel Center officials here will post selection lists for technical and master sergeant promotions on the Air Force Portal and AFPC public and military Web sites June 26 at 8 a.m. CDT. This will be the third major enlisted promotion release using the new Web-based process, and by far

  • F-16 accident investigation complete

    Air Force officials here completed its investigation June 20 of the April 2 F-16 Fighting Falcon accident at Gila Bend Auxiliary Airfield, Ariz., and the accident investigation board determined the cause of this mishap to be pilot error.The accident resulted in substantial damage to an aircraft when

  • Airman teaches CPR to Afghan medical providers

    Six Afghan medical providers learned basic lifesaving skills at a Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team CPR course held June 18 at the Rokha Clinic in Rokha. Staff Sgt. Janine Duschka, a PRT medical technician deployed from Andrews Air Force Base, Md., taught the course. "It is important to teach

  • June 22 airpower summary: F-15Es bomb enemy forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations June 22, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer, F-15E Strike Eagles and A-10

  • Donley in as acting Air Force secretary

    Michael B. Donley is the new acting secretary of the Air Force, succeeding Michael Wynne, who held the position since November 2005. Mr. Donley was previously the administration and management director for the Secretary of Defense, a position sometimes referred to as "mayor" of the Pentagon. The

  • June 21 airpower summary: A-10s target anti-Afghan forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations June 21, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped a guided bomb unit-31 and

  • June 20 airpower summary: F-16s in the fight

    Coalition airpower integrated with Coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations June 20, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer and A-10 Thunderbolt

  • Missouri Air National Guardsmen man checkpoints

    Jon Taggert is a full-time political science major at Missouri State University most of the year, but June 20, and for the next few weeks, he's Airman 1st Class Taggert and he's helping to maintain order in the partially flooded town of Foley, Mo.Airman Taggert, a member of the 131st Security Forces

  • Officials provide flood info for federal employees

    Defense Department officials have issued information to assist federal employees and agencies affected by the recent flooding throughout the Midwest and Mississippi River Valley, military officials said. "Our Defense Department employees are a valued resource and an essential part of our total

  • AFIT Class of 2008 graduates

    Seventy-two scientists, engineers and management specialists are the recipients of graduate and doctoral degrees from the Air Force Institute of Technology.  AFIT's Graduate School of Engineering and Management held its June 2008 graduation ceremony June 19 at the National Museum of the United

  • UPDATED - SECAF salutes Airmen during ceremony

    Beneath the spires of the Air Force Memorial erected under his watch, the secretary of the Air Force bid farewell to Airmen June 20, his last day as their senior civilian official. Secretary Michael W. Wynne addressed the crowd of Airmen, civilians and media in a ceremony at the memorial, speaking

  • Air Force aims to improve electronic warfare capabilities

    Controlling the electromagnetic spectrum to deny or attack an adversary -- that is electronic warfare, and the Air Force is in search of ways to maximize that capability. Air Force leaders started the Electronic Warfare Life Cycle Management Group to establish a uniform approach to the research,

  • Second SBIRS payload completes early on-orbit checkout

    Air Force officials have successfully completed the early on-orbit checkout of the second Space Based Infrared Systems sensor operating in a highly-elliptical orbit over the northern hemisphere. The second sensor is known as SBIRS HEO-2. "The successful launch and checkout of HEO-2 is a further

  • 3-D imaging to help A-10 integrate latest weapons

    The A-10C Thunderbolt II is undergoing state-of-the-art 3-D measurement here through June 20 to help the close-air support aircraft carry the latest in smart weapons technology. The 46th Test Wing's Air Force Seek Eagle Office, Computerized Physical Fit team is collecting approximately 100,000 3-D

  • Civilian receives $10,000 for canopy repair 'IDEA'

    A civilian's suggestion to let the base egress shop repair F-16 Fighting Falcon canopies here instead of sending them off base earned him $10,000 and will save the Air Force more than $1 million. Robert Watts, an ordnance inspector with the 412th Maintenance Squadron, received a check June 11 for

  • Wilford Hall team treats ENT patients in Honduras

    A 14-person medical team from Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, completed a two-week readiness training mission in Honduras June 19, after performing numerous ear, nose and throat procedures. The surgical team accomplished 240 patient evaluations and more than 40 surgeries and a

  • JCS vice chairman: break service barriers

    Nattily attired in his khaki-and-olive uniform, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. James E. Cartwright squinted through the stage light glare before beginning to speak at the second annual Air Force Cyberspace Symposium here June 19. Looking out at a sea of blue uniforms and business

  • Illinois Air National Guard gathers to help save town

    More than 300 Air National Guard members from across Illinois gathered June 19 to help save a small farming community from the swelling Mississippi River here. A collective group from the 126th Air Refueling Squadron at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., the 183rd Fighter Squadron at Springfield, Ill., and

  • Korea, U.S. join forces for Exercise Max Thunder

    Airmen and aircraft from units across the Pacific Air Forces descended June 16 to participate in Exercise Max Thunder here. Hosted by Kunsan Air Base officials, Max Thunder is a bi-lateral training exercise intended to increase interoperability between Korean and U.S. forces. The exercise will

  • Vandenberg Airmen launch Delta II rocket

    Vandenberg Air Force Base officials successfully launched a Delta II rocket from Space Launch Complex-2 at 12:46 a.m. June 20 here. The rocket carried the OSTM/Jason-2 Satellite into an 830-mile near-circular orbit. Col. Steve Tanous, the 30th Space Wing commander, was the spacelift commander for

  • General counsel honors AFMC Ethics Program Office

    Members of the Air Force Materiel Command's Ethics Program Office received the Air Force General Counsel's Excellence in Ethics Program Award for 2007 during a presentation ceremony June 11 at the General Counsel's Acquisition Conference in Dayton, Ohio. Mary L. Walker, the Air Force general

  • Chronic Critical Skill career fields offer opportunities

    Enlisted Airmen serving in certain career fields have a greater opportunity for promotion through an annually updated Chronic Critical Skills Program list. A number of factors are considered before certain Air Force Specialty Codes are put on the list. For one thing, the AFSC must have manning

  • Procurement mission at Hill transfers to DLA

    A June 17 activation ceremony at the Hill Aerospace Museum marked the transfer of 43 Air Force employees to the Defense Logistics Agency here. The employees, mostly contracting officers from the 448th Supply Chain Management Group, procure depot-level reparable aviation parts for Ogden Air Logistics

  • ACC commander speaks at Joint Warfighting Conference

    Gen. John Corley, Air Combat Command commander, gave the plenary address here June 20. General Corley addressed dominance, relevance and readiness during the third and final day of the Joint Warfighting Conference 2008. On this date in 1944 the battle of the Philippines Sea, a major battle during

  • Air Force-funded scientists earn DOD fellowships

    The Department of Defense officials have selected four Air Force Office of Scientific Research-funded professors to be among the first class of six scientists with the National Security Science and Engineering Faculty Fellowship program. DOD officials launched the fellowship program last year to

  • SECAF bids farewell to Airmen

    In his final Letter to Airmen, the secretary of the Air Force salutes all Airmen for their dedication, motivation and commitment to the nation. "You are America's sword and shield, defending the United States and its global interests by delivering sovereign options in air, space, and

  • Senior leaders discuss need to control cyber domain, build new command

    In separate speeches June 18 during the second annual Air Force Cyberspace Symposium in nearby Marlborough, Mass., two senior leaders explained the critical need for the Air Force to control the cyberspace domain and reasons why a new command is needed to do so. First to speak was Lt. Gen. Robert J.

  • AF nominates 114 officers for astronaut training

    The Air Force Astronaut Nomination Board has forwarded 114 nominations to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for consideration in the pilot and mission specialist categories. The board was held May 13 to 15 and the medical screening panel was held May 20 to 22. More than 200 noninees

  • Ramstein C-130s participate in NATO airdrop demonstration

    Two C-130 Hercules aircraft from Ramstein Air Base recently participated in a NATO-sponsored Precision Airdrop Capabilities demonstration at the Centre d'Essais Lancement de Missiles at Biscarrosee and at Cazaux Air Base, France. "Over three days we conducted four to six drops a day with different

  • Bombers drop sea mines to end deployment

    B-52 Stratofortress bombers dropped 162 inert sea mines 80 miles off Guam's south coast during a recent training exercise to finish a four-month rotation to the Pacific island. Aircrews from the 96th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron dropped the MK-62 sea mines on strategic spots to deter "enemy forces"

  • New radar facility to open

    Officials from the Ellsworth Air Force Base and Minot AFB, N.D., Radar Approach Control Facilities are preparing to open the Dakota Air Traffic Control Facility this summer here.The facility will be a noncontiguous, co-located RAPCON and will service both bases and the region. "The current Ellsworth

  • June 18 airpower summary: F-16s perform shows of force

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations June 18, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a Royal Air Force GR-9 Harrier conducted a show of force over

  • Strike Eagles roar above the Pacific

    Eighteen F-15E Strike Eagles and more than 400 Airmen from the 389th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, arrived June 4 here to help maintain deterrent capabilities in the Pacific. The mission is part of a scheduled air expeditionary force rotation for the 389th EFS,

  • Academy glider lands on Colorado golf course

    A U.S. Air Force Academy TG-15 glider landed safely on the Garden of the Gods Golf Course June 18 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The pilot, Cadet 1st Class Kurt Cloutier, landed the aircraft near the western-most hole of the golf course in a manner preventing injury to pedestrians and damage to private

  • Secretary Wynne speaks at cyber symposium

    While the Air Force has made great strides in cyberspace during the last three years, it remains an arena that will require the continued efforts and innovation of all Airmen and warfighters, said Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne to attendees at the second Air Force Cyberspace Symposium

  • Cadets learn mission through Operation Air Force

    Eighteen U.S. Air Force Academy cadets visited McChord Air Force Base June 13 to experience operations and day-to-day experiences in the Air Force.The cadets visited McChord AFB during the first phase of Operation Air Force, a career-broadening program, and then flew on board a C-17 Globemaster III

  • Air National Guard works to corral Mississippi

    The men and women of the 185th Air Refueling Squadron from Sioux City, Iowa, are teaming with local farmers to maintain the 20 miles of levees, keeping the flooded Mississippi from inundating the 14 thousand acres of homes and farmland here. The river is flowing 23 feet over flood levels and 20 feet

  • AF officials comment on GAO tanker bid decision

    Government Accountability Office officials announced their findings June 18 and sustained portions of the Boeing protest of the KC-45A aerial refueling tanker competition. The contract, originally awarded to Northrop Grumman, is for the development and procurement of up to 179 tanker aircraft for

  • Air National Guard's Airmen of the Year announced

    Air National Guard officials identified six Airmen as their Airmen of the Year for 2008 following their arrival here June 15 for a week-long celebration and tribute to their achievements. This year's Airmen of the Year were chosen through a process of unit, state and national selection panels and

  • Master, technical sergeant promotion rates announced

    Air Force officials here selected 5,404 of 24,223 eligible technical sergeants for promotion to master sergeant, and 7,110 of 38,324 eligible staff sergeants for promotion to technical sergeant in a list that will be released June 26.The master sergeant selection rate, 22.31 percent, decreased 2.58

  • JTACs train in complex art of coordinating close-air support

    Exercise Atlantic Strike VII kicked off June 14 in the swampy pinegroves of the Avon Park Air Ground Training Complex as more than 800 joint and coalition warfighters from around the world gathered to practice and train in the complex art of coordinating close-air support for ground maneuvers. The

  • Contracts awarded to recapitalize special-mission C-130s

    Air Force officials announced the award of two contracts to Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company-Marietta, Ga., June 13 for the procurement of six modified KC-130J aircraft, and non-recurring costs associated with modifying the KC-130J. The modified KC-130Js meet the unique mission requirements of

  • Wind tunnel tests contribute to first flight of F-35

    The June 11 completion of the first flight of the short takeoff/vertical landing version of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter resonated with Air Force engineers at the Arnold Engineering Development Center here. "A number of us at AEDC can take pride in the part we played in supporting this

  • Air Force officials name 2008 LULAC award winner

    Air Force officials have selected Capt. Elisa Valenzuela from the Air Force Materiel Command as the winner of the 2008 League of United Latin American Citizens Excellence in Military Service award. The award recognizes members who have made significant contributions to the advancement of minority