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  • Munitions Airmen get back to basics

    Deep in the heart of Iraqi bunkers are the weapons that helped defeat Saddam Hussein. Surely the dictator would have never thought just five Airmen would track and maintain the same weapons that freed the Iraqi people from his oppression. The mission of the 506th Air Expeditionary Group Munitions

  • Fill ‘er up: POL keeps base, mission running

    Against a constant battle with the elements, the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing’s flying mission depends on one unit to always be ready when called on. The 332nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron’s petroleum, oil and lubricant, or POL, flight stands ready to deliver fuel to anyone who needs

  • New personnel system presents opportunity

    The Defense Department's new National Security Personnel System, or NSPS, is on track for initial implementation, the system's program executive officer said Feb. 9. "We’re still on track to deploy folks into Spiral 1.1 in April," Mary Lacey said. "We've got over 11,000 (non-union) employees that

  • Schriever holds African-American Month kickoff breakfast

    It was a central question the guest speaker for the African-American History Month kickoff breakfast asked the 150 people in attendance Feb. 1 at a dining facility here. “Can a neighborhood be a community? Absolutely,” said Dr. Jacqueline Taggart, a business professor at a community college in

  • Ceremony christens first C-17 in Pacific Air Forces

    The first of eight C-17 Globemaster III cargo jets arrived here Feb. 8 for its christening and Hawaiian blessing before a crowd of spectators and distinguished visitors from the local and military communities. 15th Airlift Wing Airmen and members of the 154th Wing, Hawaii Air National Guard flew the

  • Joint task force takes first steps to securing future

    The initial stages of a four-month long joint training exercise between the U.S. military and Honduran government, dubbed Operation New Horizons 2006 -- Honduras, began here in January. Joint Task Force, or JTF, Asegurar el Futuro, or “Securing the Future,” conducted the New Horizons mission and

  • Top generals meet at Corona

    The Air Force’s top-ranking leaders met recently for a two-day forum at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., continuing a tradition that has shaped the service’s leadership since 1944. The Corona meetings happen three times per year and they allow Air Force senior leaders to come together for frank, open

  • Retired Airman gives Soldier's mother peace

    When Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast it destroyed more than just property and possessions -- it destroyed memories. Six months later, surrounded by her late son’s fellow warriors, Denise Godbolt cried and hugged Susan Jarrett as the Jarrett family presented Mrs. Godbolt with two new

  • Air Force releases revised religious guidelines

    The Air Force released a revised version of its religious guidelines Feb. 9, its latest step in a process started after a review at the U.S. Air Force Academy indicated a need for additional guidance. Air Force Directorate of Personnel officials issued a first set of interim guidelines in August.

  • C-17 finds home at Hickam AFB

    When “The Spirit of Hawaii Ke Aloha” landed on the flightline here it delivered a new era of air operations for the Pacific Air Forces and the U.S. Pacific Command. Hickam is the first base outside the continental U.S. to permanently host the strategic airlifters. By the end of the year the base

  • C-5 Galaxy aircraft engine test successful

    The Air Force reached a milestone last month in the effort to modernize its C-5 Galaxy fleet. A successful test of newly mounted C-5 engines occurred Jan. 21 at a Lockheed Martin facility in Marietta, Ga. The test was part of the C-5 Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program, or RERP, said

  • AF general to retire at reduced rank

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne has directed that Brig. Gen. Richard S. Hassan, former director of the Air Force senior leader management office, retire in the permanent grade of colonel effective March 1. The retirement grade determination follows an Air Force Inspector General

  • Liaison office links air, ground forces

    Ensuring that pilots and ground forces are aware of one another’s intentions, limitations and capabilities is a full-time job. That responsibility falls into the hands of three people assigned to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Ground Liaison Office, or GLO. Comprised of one Airman and two

  • Uniform board results released

    The 97th Air Force Uniform Board released their newest results for proper wear of the uniform. The board met in October and discussed everything from eliminating the Air Force Good Conduct Medal to maternity uniforms. In addition, a Headquarters Air Force badge will be available this summer. The

  • Air Force conducts dietary supplement survey Feb. 13 to 27

    Twenty-six Air Force installations will participate in a survey Feb. 13 to 27 regarding dietary supplement usage in the Air Force. “The survey will help the Air Force keep track of what supplements people are taking, so the Air Force can educate Airmen on any dangers that may go along with taking

  • Air Force attends FBI training

    Explosive ordnance disposal, or EOD, technicians from nearby Hickam Air Force Base are attending FBI training here. The 79th large vehicle bomb post blast investigator’s course teaches attendees how to increase their ability to respond, investigate and collect evidence. Four FBI instructors and a

  • Priorities are key to getting organized

    Short suspenses, miles of e-mail traffic and clocks that never slow down can present road blocks on the daily path to getting the mission done. Even so, Rowdy Yates, 78th Air Base Wing Lean change manager, said people can get more done daily with the right approach. "I believe the reason people feel

  • Duty history centralized for Reservists

    Beginning mid-March, Reserve Airmen will be able to access and change their duty history through the virtual Personnel Center Guard and Reserve, or vPC-GR, a 24/7 customer service Web portal operated by the Air Reserve Personnel Center here. ARPC continues to centralize processes once located at

  • 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

  • Military working dogs, handlers train for mission success

    Author Corey Ford once wrote, “Properly trained, a man can be dog’s best friend.” For 12 highly trained servicemembers here, the military working dog, or MWD, is not only their friend but their trusted companion, loyal follower and No. 1 teammate. But, this team like so many others comes from lots

  • Air Force’s FY 2007 budget released

    As part of the president's fiscal year 2007 budget plan, the Air Force is set to receive $105.9 billion. This budget meets the vision of Air Force leaders to fight and win the global war on terrorism; to develop, train and care for Airmen; and to recapitalize and modernize the force, said Maj. Gen.

  • Team trains for personnel transformation

    Personnel experts will begin visiting major commands today to train specialists on the changes that will affect the way Air Force does personnel business. This new initiative called Personnel Services Delivery Transformation will use technology so all Airmen can conduct personnel transactions

  • Edwards squadron writes book on CV-22 training

    The Air Force is providing warfighters advanced and reliable tools to accomplish their mission by combining the capabilities of two distinctly different aircraft. Although the CV-22 Osprey is still undergoing developmental tests, it began operational testing here in December with crews from Air

  • Air Force officer MIA from Vietnam War is identified

    The remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors. The announcement was made by the Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office, or DPMO, Feb. 3. The Airman is Col. Eugene D.

  • Space transformation prepares for Air Force future

    Information superiority is the difference between today and tomorrow, said Air Force Space Command commander, Gen. Lance W. Lord. The general told more than 800 attendees at the Air Force Association meeting, here Feb. 3, that there is a tremendous threat “out there,” which is why it is extremely

  • Interdependence is key to future success

    Interdependence is the key to future Air Force success, according to the service’s secretary and chief of staff as they addressed more than 800 attendees at the Air Force Association meeting here Feb. 2. Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley

  • Air Force begins testing civilian self-service system

    The Air Force will begin testing My Biz, a new self-service system for Air Force civilians to view their personnel information Feb. 3. The Web-based self-service application will allow employees round-the-clock access to their personnel information from .mil domains. In My Biz, civilians can

  • QDR directs Air Force future

    The Department of Defense released the results of the quadrennial defense review Feb. 3 here. "The QDR guides and supports Air Force transformation in pursuit of key joint, interdependent combat capabilities that enable us to deliver more sovereign options for the defense of the United States of

  • Budgeting software benefits command and users

    Learning how to load software onto a computer was painful for Paul Grabiel. He is a budget analyst, not a “techie” and he couldn't seem to do his job without biting his lip in frustration. But thanks to a new software program, there's good news for Mr. Grabiel and his colleagues in financial

  • Achievements come in spite of difficulties

    By now, many Airmen here know the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing descended from the famous Tuskegee Airmen of the 332nd Fighter Group. Most people also know about the challenges the 332nd Airmen faced, not only from the enemy, but from their own country and even their own service. Many books and

  • Engineer honored for innovations

    The editors of U.S. Black Engineer and Information Technology magazine have named 1st Lt. Robert Patton Jr. of the Air Force Research Laboratory as one of their "Modern-Day Technology Leaders for 2006" for outstanding leadership in engineering, science and technology. A native of Richmond, Va.,

  • BMT extended, NCOs to learn new languages

    Civilians wanting to be Airmen are going to have to tough it out for an additional two and a half weeks at basic military training, said the Air Force's top general here Feb. 2. Airmen graduating from BMT are going to be better trained and better equipped to be war fighters, said Air Force Chief of

  • New Orleans to be first AF Reserve BRAC closure

    Air Force Reserve Command's 926th Fighter Wing at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans will be the command's first wing affected by the most recent Base Realignment and Closure. Moved up a year, resources from the 926th will realign to four bases: Buckley Air Force Base, Colo.; Nellis

  • BRAC-affected people will need to move to find jobs

    While many Air Force Reservists and civilians know their jobs will change under base realignment and closure, or BRAC, one of the most difficult things to grasp is how those shifts will happen. To date, none of the BRAC actions affecting Air Force Reserve Command units will move entire units from

  • QDR focuses on protecting Americans

    Just as the fall of the Soviet Union led to changes in how the U.S. military is organized and operates, the post-Sept. 11 world requires continuation of that process, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said here Feb. 1. At a Pentagon news conference, Mr. Rumsfeld and Navy Adm. Edmund Giambastiani,

  • Moseley discusses uniform changes

    The top Air Force general is enthusiastic about the upcoming utility uniform and its head-to-toe changes, he said at the Air Force Association Air Warfare Symposium here Feb. 2. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley said during a discussion at the symposium that officials have finalized

  • Air Force leaders share Corona issues

    The global war on terror, the state of readiness for Airmen, and the Air Force inventory are the three main priorities for the Air Force, said the service's top two leaders here Feb. 2. At the Air Force Association Air Warfare Symposium here today, Michael W. Wynne, Air Force secretary, and Gen. T.

  • 615th CRW plays role in joint exercise

    Airmen with the 615th Contingency Response Wing here participated in a joint forcible entry exercise, or JFEX, at Pope Air Force Base, N.C., Jan. 21 to 28. JFEX is designed to enhance cohesiveness between the Air Force and Army by executing large-scale heavy equipment and troop movements. The

  • New facility set to be environmentally friendly

    A new aircraft corrosion control paint and depaint facility under construction here is designed to be environmentally friendly and cost-efficient. The goal in building the new facility was to make environmental improvements over old processes, said Richard Slife of the 402nd Maintenance Wing quality

  • Airmen coordinate relief airdrops for Afghan people

    The sounds of cargo aircraft echo through the Afghan hillside. Families huddle against their makeshift homes, watching air-dropped bundles glide to the ground. These deliveries contain blankets, firewood, medical supplies and food -- a gesture of compassion and a foundation to build on. Since

  • Adjustments essential to maintaining Tricare benefits

    Adjustments to the Tricare program are necessary to ensure military health benefits are maintained at a superior level for many years, said a Defense Department official here Feb. 1. The changes, which will be introduced next week with the release of the Quadrennial Defense Review and the

  • Air Force charity ball set for April 1

    After raising more than $630,000 the last two years, the Air Force’s official charity ball returns April 1 at Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C. The first official ball was in 2004. The committee will stop taking reservations Feb. 10. “We look forward to another successful event thanks to the

  • A hero’s philosophy on life may inspire others

    Articles and other news clippings commemorating a hero’s life lay safely tucked away inside a plastic box. Photos and plaques recounting his numerous achievements adorn the walls. In one corner, a stack of accident analysis reports and an actual piece of the Space Shuttle Columbia’s wreckage lie,

  • Sergeant thanks Congress for helping keep her team together

    As the president spoke to the nation during the State of the Union address, an Airman sat in the gallery, dressed in blues, displaying the combat medals she earned in Iraq. America’s most prominent leaders were gathered in one room on Capitol Hill for the annual speech Jan. 31. Sitting attentively

  • 379th Airmen bring fight, supplies, relief to warfighters

    While each military branch promotes individual service pride, the days of fierce rivalries between the services have seemingly fallen by the wayside to concentrate on the war effort. A cavalryman here knows this. Army ground liaison officer Capt. Phil Messer monitors the interaction between the

  • 12th Air Force embraces 'A staff' structure

    The Air Staff at Headquarters Air Force in Washington is switching to the “A staff” structure today. However, the staff functions at 12th Air Force are already organized under the “A staff” structure.Twelfth Air Force, located at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., restructured in June 2004. Since

  • Air Force Assistance Fund campaign begins Feb. 13

    This year's Air Force Assistance Fund "Commitment to Caring" campaign, from Feb. 13 to May 5, will provide Airmen the opportunity to contribute to any of the four official Air Force charitable organizations. Now in its 33rd year, 100 percent of designated AFAF contributions will benefit active-duty,

  • 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

  • Third country national escorts keep watchful eye

    They stand in the background, silently observing third country nationals, or TCNs, with a watchful eye. They call themselves “the ghosts of the base.” Their work almost goes unnoticed, but the 379th force protection security escort flight plays a critical role in base security. “As a second line of

  • Phase maintenance key to mission success

    Eleven hours flying time or about 4,400 nautical miles away is a key to success for the 40th Air Expeditionary Group’s mission: supporting Operation Enduring Freedom from the sky and ensuring peace throughout Afghanistan. The key: Detachment 1 with the group’s expeditionary maintenance squadron at

  • AEF rotation perfect time to set goals

    The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing command chief makes no bones about it at the Right Start Briefing. “You’re here for a rotation, and our mission comes first; but, it’s also a great time to set some goals and achieve them,” said Chief Master Sgt. Dwayne Hopkins, 379th AEW command chief. Tech. Sgt.

  • Military health system headed to joint future

    "Jointness" is the future for military operations, and the military health care system will be no different, two Defense Department officials said here Jan. 30. As the military health system transforms, the services will unite to provide more complete and efficient care to all servicemembers, their

  • 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

  • Transformed battlefield medical care saving more lives

    The military health system has revolutionized battlefield medical care in the past four years, reducing fatalities and raising the quality of care to all-time high levels, two Defense Department officials said here Jan. 30. Injured servicemembers are now more quickly transported from the battlefield

  • New documentary showcases unique military careers

    A new documentary launched today will help to educate the American public about military service and clear up misconceptions, said a Department of Defense official. David S.C. Chu, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, said the one-hour film, "Today's Military: Extraordinary People;

  • C-130 airlift reduces ground convoy operations

    Sitting high on his stool in the back of a C-130 Hercules, Senior Airman Jon Hall, a 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron loadmaster, scans the ground for airborne threats on an airlift sortie over Iraq. This duty is one that Airman Hall and many other Airmen, deployed here from the 463rd Airlift

  • Rapid prototyping speeds up design assessment

    The Air Force Research Laboratory has developed a new rapid way to test wind tunnel designs. Traditional wind tunnel models are meticulously machined from metal in a process that can take several months. While very precise, the manufacturing process is too slow to assess a new design's feasibility

  • Air Force eliminates commissioned officer distinctions

    The Air Force will eliminate the distinction between active-duty regular and reserve officers by May 1. Previously, an officer who earned a reserve commission served in a sort of probationary period until promoted to major, when they could become a “regular” officer. The contract reserve officers

  • New contract begins for Tricare dental program

    Tricare Management Activity will begin its new Tricare Dental Program, or TDP, contract with United Concordia Companies Inc. Feb. 1. United Concordia will continue to furnish worldwide, comprehensive dental coverage to include preventive, diagnostic, restorative and maintenance services to all

  • Gunsmith shop gets new name, command

    The U.S. Air Force Gunsmith Shop is getting a new name and command. After 48 years of operations here under Air Training and then Air Education and Training Command, the shop is realigning under Air Force Materiel Command. Now known as the U.S. Air Force Gunsmith Integrated Product Team, the

  • Overseas EQUAL list available Feb. 1

    The Overseas Enlisted Quarterly Assignment Listing will be available Feb. 1 for overseas requirements, October to December. Airmen should work through their military personnel flights or commander's support staff to update their preferences. Deployed personnel should work with their personnel

  • Chief makes history, home at 433rd AW

    “When I was told that I was the first African American female chief in the 433rd, I was proud because I have made a milestone,” said Chief Master Sgt. Laverne Vick, who has been with the wing her entire 28 years in the Air Force Reserve. “I wanted to set an example so I wouldn’t be the last and

  • Rosa Parks took a seat in order for our nation to stand up

    In October, I was in Texas for a journalist’s workshop when I learned by way of a television news ticker that Rosa Parks, often dubbed the “mother of the civil rights movement,” died at age 92. The news took my breath away, but it was then that I realized a hero doesn’t always wear a military

  • Tuskegee Airmen leave strong legacy

    On July 19, 1941, the Army Air Force began a program in Alabama to train black Americans as pilots for the first time. Civil rights organizations and the black press exerted pressure that resulted in the formation of an all black pursuit squadron based in Tuskegee, Ala., in 1941. They became known

  • Air Force evacuates ABC News team to U.S.

    An injured ABC News correspondent and cameraman were flown from here to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., today to receive additional medical treatment in the U.S. Anchorman Bob Woodruff and cameraman, Doug Vogt, were injured in Iraq and treated for their injuries at the Air Force Theater Hospital at

  • CMSAF announces retirement

    The 14th chief master sergeant of the Air Force, Gerald R. Murray, announced plans to retire this summer after serving more than 28 years. Chief Murray has served as the chief master sergeant of the Air Force since July 1, 2002. “I’ve grown up as an Airman,” Chief Murray said. “The Air Force has

  • Airmen pitch in to support Iraqi children

    Surrounded by stacks of school supplies, Senior Airman Aaron Smith stands in the middle of a mission that almost didn’t go. The supplies are donations from stateside groups and individuals and the mission is Operation Provide School Supplies. Without the Airmen of the 506th Air Expeditionary Group,

  • Memorial services held for fallen Airmen

    More than 500 Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and multinational partners attended a memorial service Jan. 27 to pay their final respects to two Airmen who were killed in Iraq by an improvised explosive device Jan. 22. Tech. Sgt. Jason Norton, 32, and Staff Sgt. Brian McElroy, 28, were assigned to

  • Quadrennial review a 'snapshot,' not a revelation

    The Quadrennial Defense Review being released Feb. 6 is not a new revelation. It is a snapshot of where the Defense Department is as it transforms to meet new threats, officials said recently. The review, released in conjunction with the president's fiscal 2007 defense budget request, combines

  • American, Korea forces combine efforts in peninsula-wide exercise

    Seventh Air Force launched a peninsula-wide exercise Jan. 23 with a combination of forces from Osan, Kunsan and South Korea. This exercise was the largest in South Korea in recent history. “Seventh Air Force Headquarters, the 51st Fighter Wing and the 8th Fighter Wing have completely integrated into

  • Field medics move in out of the dust

    The thought of a field hospital conjures up images of medics rolling battle-wounded troops on gurneys into a dimly lit operating room. The 447th Expeditionary Medical Squadron at Sather Air Base located at Baghdad International Airport, Iraq, no longer battles the desert dust or works in cramped

  • Headquarters Air Force realigns similar to 'J-staff' model

    The staff functions at Headquarters Air Force, major commands and warfighting headquarters will soon all share the same "A-staff" structure. By Feb. 1, the Air Staff at Headquarters Air Force here will adopt an organizational structure that closely mirrors the Army's "G-staff," the Navy's "N-staff"

  • HVAC team keeps Airmen ‘cool’ under pressure

    Every humming metal box, tangle of wires and yawning duct on a military base has some function. But, it usually doesn’t get much attention until it stops functioning. In this way, heating, venting and air conditioning, or HVAC, technicians in the 376th Civil Engineer Squadron here, are attuned to

  • New location, same C-130 airlift mission

    Airmen and aircraft have relocated and the name of the squadron has changed. But, the mission of Airmen deployed here from the 463rd Airlift Group at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., has not. These Airmen deliver cargo in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility and are now flying their

  • 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

  • Vance couple selected to pilot B-2s

    The Air Force's only B-2 Spirit bomber wing has announced a historical first -- the selection of a married pilot couple. Capts. Rob and Beth Makros, T-38 instructor pilots with the 25th Flying Training Squadron here, have been selected for assignment to the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force

  • Air Force evacuates injured ABC News team to Germany

    A C-17 Globemaster III from the 172nd Airlift Wing and medical personnel from the 791st Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron evacuated a wounded ABC news team from Balad Air Base, Iraq, to Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Jan. 30, for treatment at the nearby Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.

  • Air Force-led convoy hands reins back to Soldiers

    As the Air Force has taken on roles traditionally held by the Army, one of the most visible of those tasks has been convoy duty. One of those Air Force-led convoys is ending its run and handing the reins back over to Soldiers. Their last convoy will be a certification run for the Soldiers who are

  • ‘Just another day at work’ for the 106th Rescue Wing

    Tred Barta claims to be one of the “best big game fishermen in the world,” with a reputation for doing things the hard way. His blunt talk and nonconformist style has made him a popular, if controversial, star of the television show, “The Best and Worst of Tred Barta,” and he’s teamed up with an

  • 'Why' Smart Ops 21?

    Why do we do the things we do, the way we do them in the Air Force? “Because that’s the way we’ve always done it,” is a common reply. While tradition is important to the existence of an organization, the growth required to propel an organization forward doesn’t happen without honestly applying the

  • Small office comes up big for armament, munitions Airmen

    When it comes to handling munitions no one does a better job than the munitions materiel handling equipment focal point here. The focal point is an organization assigned to the agile combat support systems squadron. Its sole purpose is to support the entire Air Force armament and munitions community

  • PMEL Airmen ensure equipment is serviceable

    The precision measurement equipment laboratory’s claim to fame is being the only 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron workgroup that serves the entire area of responsibility. The team falls under the responsibility of the test measurement and diagnostic equipment, or TMDE, flight. The laboratory

  • Response team rescues two Airmen during Arctic storm

    With sub-zero temperatures, snow and winds exceeding 100 miles per hour, an unexpected Arctic storm struck here Jan. 24, trapping two Airmen without a heat source on the frigid tundra. Airmen 1st Class John Wood and Marc Chavis were rescued from their stranded patrol truck after U.S. and Danish

  • Position-vacancy promotions change for Reservists

    Air Force Reserve Command is changing the way it determines the number of early officer promotions, known as position-vacancy promotions. “Starting with the February Air Force Reserve major promotion selection board, we will link position-vacancy promotion quotas to mandatory promotion board

  • DOD plans to boost access to military child care

    The availability of child-care services for military families will receive a boost from a multifaceted approach by the Defense Department, a senior official here said Jan. 26. "We project the (child-care) needs as greater than what we're offering at this point," said Jan Witte, director of DOD's

  • Services Airmen handle record-breaking ‘invasion’

    More than 3,000 transient servicemembers invaded this desert base recently. These travelers broke the base’s records for lodging and dining. "They came in droves, hungry and tired," said Lt. Col. David Preston, the commander of the 379th Expeditionary Services Squadron. "But, Services was up for the

  • Italian pilot deploys with U.S. forces

    For four months an Italian air force pilot, as part of an exchange program, has been deployed to Southwest Asia with the U.S. Air Force. Capt. Daniele Poli, 738th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron pilot, has flown C-130 Hercules on more than 240 sorties, for more than 60 missions since September 2005.

  • Piece by piece, information can yield secrets when put together

    These days modems come built into computers and Internet access many times is cheaper than regular telephone service. It seems everyone has a license to cruise the information super highway. There are a variety of ways for people to interact across the globe, such as e-mail, chat rooms and instant

  • Transportation secretary praises Lackland Airmen

    U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta praised Airmen here Jan. 25 for their vital role in transportation and care of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita evacuees. “You witnessed firsthand one of the most devastating disasters this country has ever had to endure,” Secretary Mineta said. “And you

  • Most Reserve, Guard members earn more, not less, in uniform

    Despite general perceptions that Guardsmen and Reservists lose income when called to active duty, most actually earn more in uniform than as civilians, a new Rand Corp. study reveals. The nonprofit research organization's study, commissioned by the Defense Department and released Jan. 25, shows that

  • Contingency skills course brings expeditionary basics to Airmen

    With Airmen doing more on the frontlines of the war on terrorism, the need exists for Air Force specialties across the board to receive training in a variety of expeditionary combat skills. In the Air Mobility Warfare Center’s 421st Combat Training Squadron here, they built an answer to that need --

  • Andersen kids lead FitFactor in participation points

    A brother and sister team from Andersen hold the most participation points in FitFactor, the Air Force-wide youth fitness program. Fenton and Cierra Fitzgerald, the son and daughter of Master Sgts. Fenton and Kimberly Fitzgerald, accomplished the feat by working their way through three of the five

  • Defense review addresses uncertain, unpredictable world

    The Quadrennial Defense Review, to be delivered to Congress Feb. 6, will be dominated by two words: uncertainty and unpredictability, senior defense officials said Jan. 25. Congress mandates that the Department of Defense conduct the QDR every four years to ensure the armed forces have the right mix

  • Air Force ranks No. 1 for renewable energy use

    The Air Force purchased more renewable energy than any other member of the Environmental Protection Agency’s green power partnership last year, according to a report released Jan. 24 by the EPA. The partnership, which is sponsored by the EPA, consists of U.S. companies and organizations that

  • AMC Airmen deploying 'a little lighter'

    Air Mobility Command Airmen who deploy are traveling a little lighter -- nearly 90 pounds lighter -- thanks to the mobility bag pre-positioning initiative. The program, now in its second phase, will allow 5,000 Airmen -- about 1,000 from AMC -- to deploy without carrying the typical three mobility

  • Security forces work side by side with Soldiers in Iraq

    Imagine searching door to door with Soldiers, looking for insurgents, high-value targets and weapons caches in Iraq. Envision the nerve it takes to do the job after having another Airman in the area critically injured by an improvised explosive device, or IED, only two weeks after being assigned to

  • LEAD deadline fast approaching

    Airmen looking for opportunities to enter the commissioned officer ranks can apply for the 2006 Leaders Encouraging Airmen Development, or LEAD, program until Jan. 31. LEAD is a program that allows commanders to nominate highly qualified Airmen for direct entry to the Air Force Academy or

  • Three questions can make a difference: warning signs of stroke

    Nearly 20 years ago when Ida Glover asked her 40-year-old son a question and he couldn't respond, she thought he had suffered some type of nerve damage. Days later she discovered his prognosis was much worse. Doctors at the Medical Center of Central Georgia told Ms. Glover her son had experienced

  • Little Rock Airmen provide “beans and bullets” downrange, again

    A trip to the desert is nothing new for the 463rd Airlift Group here. On Jan. 20, 24 Airmen and two C-130 Hercules stepped up to deliver "beans and bullets" to the warfighter for more than 120 days. The experienced crew understands that airlift is important for reducing convoy operations in

  • Reserve command helps BRAC-affected personnel

    Air Force Reserve Command has created a new program to help Reservists and civilians navigate Base Realignment and Closure, or BRAC, changes. The programs include a BRAC guide, member-tracking codes, two clearing houses, e-mail boxes and an archive. All are designed to assist those affected by the