McConnell helps film 'world's largest concert' segment

A Public Broadcasting Service film crew came here to tape a segment for the “World’s Largest Concert” that will air next year. Base members and students from Beech Elementary School of Wichita, Kan., and Unified School District 259 took part in the Dec. 2 event. PBS will transmit the segment during

Maintainers keep ‘Hercs’ flying

Most of them are in there early 20s and some are just out of high school. Their average rank is senior airman and many of them have less than three years in the military. However, they have one of the most demanding jobs in the Air Force -- keeping multi-million-dollar aircraft flying in support of

Airmen ‘drop’ in to help islanders

Airmen from here and Andersen Air Force Base, Guam -- and people from surrounding communities -- teamed to airlift Christmas supplies to people at more than 50 Micronesian islands. The effort was the 53rd anniversary of the Christmas Drop mission. Three C-130 Hercules aircraft from the 36th Airlift

Lost Airmen laid to rest at Arlington

After spending the last 37 years entombed in a glacier, two Airmen were finally laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. Col. Wilfred B. Crutchfield and Lt. Col. Ivan E. O’Dell received full military honors at their Dec. 7 burial ceremony, with several family members in attendance. “I appreciate

Airman missing from Vietnam War identified

The Department of Defense today identified another Airman missing in action from the Vietnam War. The department’s POW/Missing Personnel Office said he is Tech. Sgt. Patrick L. Shannon of Owasso, Okla. DOD returned the remains to his family for burial with full military honors. His family has yet to

Air Force releases new mission statement

The realities of the world have changed dramatically since the creation of the Air Force in 1947 and continue to change almost daily. With these changes in mind, Air Force leaders released a new mission statement Dec. 7 that defines the current and future direction of the Air Force. "Today, our

TSP begins catch-up contribution enrollment for 2006

The Air Force Personnel Center's civilian benefits and entitlements service team automated systems will be available for 2006 Thrift Savings Plan catch-up contribution enrollment beginning Dec. 11. Military members may submit their 2006 catch-up contribution enrollments in early January. TSP

TSP announces enrollment changes for 2006

Effective in 2006, civilian and military employees are no longer subject to a percentage limit on the amount they may contribute to a regular Thrift Savings Plan account. They may contribute the full amount allowed by the Internal Revenue Service annual elective deferral limit, which is $15,000 for

Product center finishes $250 million comm program

The Global Information Grid Systems Group installed an emergency communications system at Minot Air Force Base, N.D, the last of 50 identical systems of a more than $250 million program. The Minuteman Minimum Essential Emergency Communications Network Program -- which began more than seven years ago

Airman meets doctor who saved her

More than five months, 8,000 miles and countless prayers led to an unlikely reunion at a Colorado animal sanctuary. Tech. Sgt. Jamie Dana and Maj. (Dr.) Paul Morton first met June 25 in Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq -- a hot summer day the major described simply as chaotic. They met again Dec. 2 on a cold

Hickam quiet on this Dec. 7

The Pacific Air Forces headquarters building -- and this base -- is quiet today, the 64th anniversary of the surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. But on Dec. 7, 1941, it was a major target during the infamous sneak attack on Pearl Harbor and Hickam Field that drew the United States into World

Cops plus copters equal better nuclear security

Take four security forces Airmen, throw them on a UH-1 Huey helicopter and what do you get? A combined defense team that is fast, efficient and keeps the country’s nuclear arsenal well protected. Helicopter aircrews and security forces at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., have integrated parts of

Letter to Airmen pushes persistence in resource management

After 15 years of continuous engagement, the Air Force is evolving through persistent situation awareness, the secretary of the Air Force stated in a Letter to Airmen released today. “Our Air Force finds itself in an operating environment that requires us to examine all mission areas, from platforms

Barksdale maintainers keep ‘Buffs’ flying

Some people have compared the specialists at the 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron to gears in a watch. The watch can’t tick without the gears -- just as aircraft can’t fly without the Airmen. Within the squadron, specialists in each of the three aircraft maintenance units work behind the scenes to

Wilford Hall testing new vascular viewer

Airmen at the Wilford Hall Medical Center’s emergency department are helping evaluate a new light scope used to help locate patient’s veins and arteries. The vascular viewer uses an infrared lighting source to trans-illuminate tissue. So medical personnel can use it to better locate a patient’s

Spouse survey to help shape future family programs

Defense officials want to make sure military spouses know it's important for them to complete the 30-minute online survey they received in the mail last month. The new Defense Department survey asks their views as defense planners shape family programs to meet their needs and interests, a top

CMSAF discusses future at enlisted call

It was fitting Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald Murray wore the Air Force utility uniform of tomorrow when addressing about 700 Airmen at an enlisted call here. Most of what the chief talked about at the base theater Dec. 6 focused on the future. That was also the purpose of his visit to

Little Rock gets fifth ‘J-Herc’

Airmen fighting and training to fight the global war on terrorism have a new weapon -- a fifth C-130J Hercules. Lt. Gen. Dennis Larsen, Air Education and Training Command vice commander, delivered the new Hercules to the base’s Dec. 6 and added another first to his career. “This is the first C-130

CENTAF releases airpower summary

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

Aerial porters breaking airlift records

Aerial porters of the 386th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron here are breaking records by moving more than 200,000 passengers and baggage since arriving in September. They have moved more cargo and people than other units who have rotated in and out of this desert base. “There is nothing

Loadmasters keep cargo, passengers moving safely

Around the clock, C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft fly from here, airlifting military troops to locations throughout this theater. Helping passengers and cargo get to their destination safely is the job of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing loadmasters. Senior Master Sgt. Steven Woodside, the loadmaster

Travis firefighters win second world title

For the second year in a row, firefighters from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., won the World Firefighter Combat Challenge team competition here. The Travis team also won the stream-light relay -- in a time of 4 minutes, 25.14 seconds -- to seal their victory. The team beat out more than 240

CARs help Airmen get insurance funds

Casualty assistance representatives have a vital role in ensuring injured Airmen get the insurance funds to which they are entitled. Their job is to help potentially eligible members with Traumatic Injury Protection Insurance applications in coordination with the base military treatment facility.

Official debunks myths about military recruits

Recruits entering today’s military are head and shoulders above their contemporaries, a top Pentagon official said. Myths that imply otherwise reflect the Vietnam-era -- not today’s -- military, Bill Carr, acting deputy undersecretary of defense for military personnel policy, said of today's

General Hobbins takes USAFE helm

Gen. William T. Hobbins took command of United States Air Forces in Europe from Gen. Robert H. “Doc” Foglesong today at a ceremony here. General Hobbins begins his term just five years after he left the command as its director of aerospace operations. The general was the Air Force deputy chief of

Program promotes healthy lifestyles for children

Kaitlyn Mayor prefers to hula-hoop while her brother, Tyler, skateboards to gain fitness points for a new Air Force Services Web-based program that promotes healthy lifestyles for children. The Florida siblings are among more than 5,300 Air Force youngsters between the ages of 9 and 18 to sign up

Defender training readies ‘brass’ for deployment

A new Air Force Materiel Command program helps train security forces leaders for deployment to combat zones. “Brave Defender,” developed by the command’s Security Forces Regional Training Center, prepares security forces commanders and senior enlisted leaders for success in the field. "This course

Moody rescue crews receive Mackay Trophy

Two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter aircrews received the Mackay Trophy from Gen. John D. W. Corley, the Air Force vice chief of staff, at a ceremony here Dec. 5. The 13 Airmen earned the award for rescuing five Soldiers whose helicopter crashed in a sandstorm near Kharbut, Iraq, in April 2004. The

Wilford Hall to evaluate Tourette syndrome program

Wilford Hall Medical Center received a $3 million multi-site National Institutes of Health grant to evaluate a behavior therapy program to help control tics in adults who suffer Tourette syndrome. Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by enduring motor and vocal tics. “A growing

Controllers keep air traffic on course

In a cold, dark box the size of a small bedroom -- set apart from everything else here -- work the 332nd Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron combined en route radar approach controllers. The controllers maintain the airspace over central Iraq and handle air traffic for both military and

Athena is one lucky dog

It’s a familiar, yet sad story. A family is getting ready for a permanent change of station but can’t take their pet with them. But instead of trying to find a new home for the pet, they choose to abandon it and leave the animal to fend for itself. Athena was one of those pets left behind. The boxer

Wingman can help combat the ‘holiday blues’

Being stationed overseas often means separation from family members. This, combined with holiday stress, can lead to what is known as the “holiday blues.” “The holiday blues refers to feeling sad when we should be feeling joy, happiness and a sense of peace,” said Chaplain (Maj.) Shon Neyland.

Air Force museum will display Disney military art

From "Donald Duck" to "Jiminy Cricket," a special exhibit that showcases more than 50 of Walt Disney's original World War II insignia designs will open Dec. 13 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. The exhibit, entitled "Disney Pins on Wings," will include the original Walt Disney

Fuel cells could save Air Force thousands

Ten new five-kilowatt fuel cells in operation here could save the Air Force thousands of dollars in energy costs. The fuel cells, located at the base ground water treatment plant, have been operating since early October. Base officials unveiled the new alternative fuel source Dec 1. The cells, which

Evaluators put ‘Js’ through the paces

Active duty, Reserve and Guard C-130J Airmen put the aircraft through its wartime paces here during a joint training exercise. Airmen worked with Soldiers at the Joint Readiness Training Center in Fort Polk, La., to test the airplane last month. The exercise tested the aircraft’s ability to

Help desk changes speed up response times

Response times to communications outages are now almost immediate after the 386th Expeditionary Communications Squadron here made changes to their help desk operations. The rapid response is the result of fixes that emphasize command-and-control in help desk operations. Most visible is the

Red Horse builds it all at Q-West

The sounds of hammers smashing nails and the buzzing of saws cutting wood, typically resonate through this forward Army outpost -- simply known as Q-West. The 200-plus civil engineering Airmen of the 557th Expeditionary Red Horse Squadron are nowhere near an airfield. And they are nowhere near any

Engineers keep Kandahar airfield in the fight

Since arriving to support Operation Enduring Freedom, Air Force civil engineers here have been vital in keeping air operations on track. From repairing a 200-square-foot crater on the runway -- in less than an hour -- to upgrading the once substandard airfield, the 451st Air Expeditionary Group

Are you ready for some football?

Nine Airmen from McChord Air Force Base, Wash., will be featured in a national promo for the National Football League’s Monday Night Football on ABC television today. Monday night promos are aired before each game and are watched by more than 20 million people each week. The promos normally feature

Americans, Germans ink Ramstein support agreement

German and U.S. Air Forces in Europe leaders signed an agreement that continues the Ramstein support arrangement between the two nations. The agreement covers logistical and administrative support provided to the German support unit at Ramstein, including housing and work space. Lt. Gen. Horst

Health care providers need new national identifier

To improve electronic transactions for health care, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services is now assigning a new provider identifier to standard transactions. The National Provider Identifier will be the single provider identifier, replacing those currently used for different systems and

Admiral Lippert: DLA changes will take team effort

Defense Logistics Agency Director Vice Adm. Keith Lippert said the agency’s transformation will be take a team effort. The admiral spoke of the change and other topics to more than 600 people Nov. 29 at the annual North American Defense Logistics Conference here. “The transformation is not going to

Dynamic Weasel sharpens combat skills

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

Airmen ensure deployed troops get their mail

When the truck backs into place and the back doors open, brown and white cardboard boxes are stacked far and wide. These are not ordinary boxes. They may be special links to families and friends back home during the holiday season. Knowing this, the five people at the post office at this base do

’Patriot Express’ reengineering on track

The reengineering process to significantly scale down Patriot Express is on track, said experts in Air Mobility Command’s Air Transportation Division. Patriot Express is an AMC-managed, military-chartered commercial air service for transporting Department of Defense customers to and from overseas

Thunderbirds release 2006 schedule

The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the “Thunderbirds,” has announced its 2006 air show schedule. The team, based here, is scheduled to perform more than 65 public shows in 29 states. The 2006 schedule is as follows: March 25-26 -- Fort Smith, Ark.April 1-2 -- Punta Gorda, Fla. 8 --

Immersion turning out culturally savvy officers

Traveling to a foreign country, speaking the native tongue and understanding the culture are dreams to some people. But thanks to an Air Force program, line officers have the opportunity to turn those dreams into reality. Language and Area Studies Immersion is a program designed to build a force of

Keeping Airmen alive

Kadena Airman convicted for possessing child pornography

A military court martial convicted an Airman here today of possessing child pornography.A military judge then sentenced Senior Airman Jason O. Green, of the 353rd Maintenance Squadron, to 20 months confinement, reduction to airman basic and a dishonorable discharge. But as the result of a pretrial

Osprey flies spec ops forces into future

In addition to riding on the wings of Eagles, Falcons and Hawks, the Air Force will also fly with the Ospreys soon. The CV-22 Osprey, that is. The Air Force will buy 50 of the tilt-rotor aircraft for use by Air Force Special Operations Command. The Osprey will first go through several developmental

Iraqi aircrew flies milestone mission

The first all-Iraqi aircrew to fly a solo mission flew their C-130E Hercules on an airlift mission from Ali Air Base to New Al Muthana. The nine-member crew of the Iraqi Air Force’s 23rd Airlift Squadron flew the historic mission Nov. 28. The crew did an engine running on-load at New Al Muthana

New guide helps maintain 'human weapon system'

It's a theme every Airman can recite -- but many might find themselves at a loss as to how to help a fellow Airman in distress. A guide published by the Air Force Suicide Prevention Program is now available to explain how to be a good “wingman.” The Leader's Guide for Managing Personnel in Distress

New technologies tackle landing challenges

The Air Force Research Laboratory is demonstrating technologies that will allow Air Force transport aircraft to land in a range of environmental conditions -- anytime and anywhere. The lab’s Air Vehicles, Human Effectiveness and Sensors directorates here are working with three technologies that,

Airmen offload 250th Pakistan relief aircraft

The Air Force unloaded the 250th aircraft taking part in Operation Lifeline -- the humanitarian relief mission providing aid to the people hit by a 7.6 magnitude earthquake here in early October. The Idaho Air National Guard C-130 Hercules, arrived Nov. 29 at Chaklala Air Base from Afghanistan. It

DOD helps other nations address HIV challenges

As the world commemorates World AIDS Day today, the U. S. military is at work helping 67 militaries worldwide address HIV and AIDS within their ranks.This global outreach program -- now in its fifth year -- is lending U. S. military medical expertise and capabilities to help other militaries

Changes sweeten 're-up' bonuses in two careers

The Air Force changed the reenlistment window and waived obligated service requirements for Airmen in two career fields eligible to receive the enlisted critical skills retention bonus. Airmen who meet requirements may qualify for a retention bonus of up to $150,000. The reenlistment window now

A-10 pilot ‘talks down’ civilian airplane with emergency

“Mayday. Mayday.” The distress call is familiar to most people who watch television and movies. But when it is made for real, it can make a pilot’s mouth go dry and his stomach cramp. That is the feeling pilot Naim Fazlija said he had when he made the distress call to German radar controllers when

700-plus Airmen face retraining

The ongoing Noncommissioned Officer Retraining Program will involuntarily retrain up to 777 active duty Airmen. The second phase of the program started Nov. 18 and will continues until the Air Force meets retraining targets.Enlisted retraining staff workers at the Air Force Personnel Center here

DOD 'steps up fight' against HIV/AIDS

Eighty senior military and medical officials from more than 30 countries will gather in San Antonio Dec. 2 to 9 to take part in the fifth annual HIV/AIDS course. This year’s theme is “Step Up the Fight.” Sponsored by the Defense Institute for Medical Operations, the course aims to help senior

Supplemental deployment health assessment starts in December

Airmen returning from deployment now have two opportunities to let healthcare workers know of their mental and physical health status. Beginning in December, the Air Force will require all Airmen returning from deployments to complete a post-deployment health reassessment. The PDHRA needs to be

Standard federal ID to replace common access cards

A new, standardized identification card is being developed for all federal employees. The new card will replace the common access cards that military personnel, government civilians and contractors now hold, said Mary Dixon, deputy director of the Defense Manpower Data Center. The new cards will

Remains of missing WWII-era Airman are examined

President Bush visits Airmen, border patrol in Arizona

Maintainers keep Minuteman IIIs ready

Nearly five decades after the Minuteman entered the United States' nuclear arsenal as President John F. Kennedy’s “Ace in the Hole,” technicians here are working to ensure it continues on active duty for the foreseeable future. The missile system watched over the nation as the Cold War ended, ground

Deployed wing transports its 1 millionth passenger

The 386th Air Expeditionary Wing lived up to its motto of “Boots on the Ground” when it recently transported its 1millionth passenger in a little more than two years.The wing reached this historic milestone when they transported 10 Army soldiers to their final destination within the area of

New contingency aeromedical staging facility opens

The “gateway” for patients awaiting transportation to Germany just got a little better when the 386th Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility staff opened the doors to their new facility. The state-of-the-art facility, which opened Nov. 23, now offers patients a more comfortable environment to

Trick Pony brings season’s greetings to troops

The country music band Trick Pony is riding with the Air Force Reserve to Germany, Turkey, and a forward operating base in Southwest Asia, with a final stop at Keflavik, Iceland, Dec. 2. “We want to meet as many of the troops as possible and to thank them,” said Trick Pony’s lead singer Heidi

Airmen outside the wire

Air Force security forces are usually associated with base defense, but with the increased needs of the Army, deployed Airmen here are finding themselves outside the wire performing area security and winning hearts and minds. Security Forces Airmen from 17 bases, ranking from airman to lieutenant

New cargo pallet will save U.S. military $1.3 million

A large shipment of merchandise sits near a loading dock behind the U.S. Transportation Command here.  What makes this shipment different is that this shipment appears to be piled on a pallet which is also, on a pallet. Another federal faux pas? No, this pallet sandwich is really a new cost-saving

Air Force gun trucks deliver the goods

As Airmen saddle up for one of the most notorious jobs in Iraq, the mood is not dread, but drive and determination. There's confidence in every move as members of the 732nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron here at Forward Operating Base Speicher prepare to escort truck convoys on some of

Second chance: Active-duty father donates kidney

It’s evening, and the Pitman family is playing Candyland in their living room. Devin, 5, bounces from the sofa to the gameboard and pulls a card. “Ice cream!” the blue-eyed boy shouts, and moves his yellow pawn toward the end of the trail. “My turn,” his father says, leaning over the board to pull a

Ammo warriors keep close-air support of U.S., coalition forces a reality

Keeping a mission-capable supply of bullets coming as A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots respond to close-air support requests is a key role for a group of Airmen taking part in the ongoing global war on terrorism. Deployed here from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., the role of the 455th Air

For all B-52 flyers, all roads lead to the 11th BS

For B-52 Stratofortress aircrew members, all roads lead to Barksdale, more specifically the 11th Bomb Squadron. All "Buff" navigators, pilots or electronic warfare officers goes through their initial and upgrade training in the 11th BS. During 2005, the squadron processed 315 students.“Of the 315

Mechanics turn wrenches to save lives

Mechanics often talk about vehicle maintenance as if it were life and death. For the gun-truck maintainers of the 732nd Logistic Support Squadron, the idea is more than a figure of speech. The trucks they maintain help provide convoy security, traveling some of the most brutal roads in Iraq.

Medical Group Airmen return from humanitarian mission

Nine members from the 9th Medical Group recently returned from a medical readiness exercise in Paraguay. While in Paraguay the members worked alongside security, Paraguayan military doctors and liaison officers, as well as physicians from Andrews Air Force Base, Md., and Vandenberg AFB, Calif. The

Air transportation career field benefits from mobile learning

Two Airmen with the Air Mobility Warfare Center’s Mobility Operations School are helping fellow air transportation Airmen keep up on their training -- no matter where they are in the world. The effort, called mobile learning or “M-learning,” refers to the use of handheld devices when used to enhance

ORIs evolve with modern war fighting

Airmen today can face deployment with increased confidence after practicing modified operational readiness inspection scenarios that reflect current wartime conditions. According to Air Combat Command's Inspector General Col. Tom Jones, with the expeditionary nature of today's Air Force, it is

Leaders visit Travis for AMC orientation

A group of Air Mobility Command mission support group commanders and an AMC general visited Travis recently as a part of AMC’s Excellent Installation Orientation. The team toured five AMC bases, including Dover Air Force Base, Del.;  Andrews AFB,  Md.; Charleston AFB, S.C.;  McConnell AFB, Kan.; and

Civil engineers build tent city in Southwest Asia

From hammers to bulldozers, from planning to construction along with muscles and sweat, the 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron’s tent city project is under way and near completion. The planning for the tent city expansion program began in September. About 28 tents are being constructed to

Young man's dream tour causes 'ripple effect'

When a rock hits the calm surface of a pond, ripples form and travel outward in expanding circles. The story begins with a 14 year old and his dream -- a goal of overcoming his health problems and flying for the Air Force. The boy, Ryan Penne of Chico, Calif., stepped into dreamland last year at

All secure, and then some

Security in Southwest Asia is no joke, but you may still get a smile from security forces Airmen when they check your ID. Ensuring the security of coalition forces and resources is a job the 379th Expeditionary Security Forces team takes very seriously. “We have a dedicated and enthusiastic team

Deployed Airman receives call from president

While most people were waiting to make an important call on Thanksgiving, an Airman here was awaiting a call from an important person. Airman 1st Class Sarah Sullivan, an airfield management operations supervisor, received that call at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 24, when the White House switchboard put the

Ramstein Reservist helps injured troops get home

"Home for the holidays" is a familiar goal for many military people, but not Tech. Sgt. Katheryn Bicker. This Reservist from the 944th Fighter Wing at Luke AFB, Ariz., is forgoing her own holidays to help others in what she feels is the true spirit of the season. "I don't think about it being

Vandenberg Airmen put eyes in sky

Somewhere on Vandenberg, two Airmen wearing berets and rifle slings have their heads in a monitor as they fly a remote control plane. The Airmen are demonstrating a new capability for security, surveillance, reconnaissance, battle damage assessment and more, in the form of a four-pound,

Balad Airmen have sweeping task

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

The making of a memorial

It was his favorite holiday. He looked at his birthday in October as a count down to Christmas. So Army Sgt. Michael E. Yaschinski loved being with his family at that very special time of the year. “He never missed a Christmas, even when he was stationed in Italy -- except for 2003,” said his

Surviving the unthinkable

Airmen sang Christmas carols as they cruised their armored truck through the thick gray fog of Iraq’s northern desert on that late November morning. It was the 2004 holiday season and the Airmen were in good spirits as they neared the end of their 30-day mission. They had helped guard Army convoys

Mishap investigation training changes course

Figuring out what causes an airplane to crash is no easy task. But many flight surgeons, aerospace physiologists and some psychologists will be part of an aircraft mishap investigation at some point in their careers. So the more they know about what to do, the better. To better prepare students for

McConnell completes first refurbishment project

Several Airmen here joined the 22nd Maintenance Squadron's equipment excellence section in a Refurb Rollout ceremony Nov. 21, which celebrated the end of McConnell’s first complete KC-135 Stratotanker refurbishment. “The result was a 40-year-old aircraft that looked brand new in approximately 30

Airmen ‘march to the beat’ in Tokyo

Band members from units throughout the Air Force came to play in the annual Marching Band Festival held at this city’s Budokan Hall. The concert, on Nov. 18 and 19, is an annual event held near the anniversary of the founding of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. This year, a crowd of nearly 50,000

Discovery Channel show visits McConnell 'Dirty Jobs' crew

“It’s a dirty job, but someone’s got to do it.” That’s a cliché jokingly thrown around in everyday life. But a team of 22nd Maintenance Group Airmen tackle their “dirty job” with such aplomb, the Discovery Channel show “Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe” taped an episode about the Airmen here Nov. 21 and

Aerial port center making air movements easier

The U.S. Central Command Air Forces aerial port control center here makes it easier to move troops and cargo through this region each day. That includes tons of cargo and thousands of troops and is a process that takes a lot planning and coordination, officials said. The center cuts a step out of

Airmen graduate from Army interrogator school

More than 90 Airmen stood next to Soldiers when the first “bluesuiter” graduated from the U.S. Army Intelligence Center’s interrogator school at Fort Huachuca, Ariz. The Airmen -- with youth ministers and Scout leaders in their midst -- graduated Nov. 10. The Airmen volunteered after the Army asked

Air Force leaders send Thanksgiving message

Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley have sent this Thanksgiving message: “Thanksgiving is a special day for Americans to gather with family and friends and appreciate all our nation has to offer. “Whether fighting the Global War on

Airmen respond to bus accident

The emergency response team here went into action after a bus full of Soldiers overturned just outside the base gate. Fire department, security forces and medical personnel responded to a Nov. 18 call for help just before 10 a.m. The Soldiers were on their way to the base for airlift to Iraq, when

White House Fellowship Program seeks applicants

Interested Airmen may apply for the White House Fellowship Program that provides first-hand experience in how the government operates. The application deadline is Jan. 15. Up to 19 people are selected annually to work full-time for one year as special assistants to senior executives in cabinet-level

Missing Airman’s body found

The body found in a Freckenham field four miles from this tanker base was that of missing Master Sgt. Bernard Huggins, 100th Air Refueling Wing officials said. Found Nov. 18, the sergeant was last seen Nov. 12. He was reported missing Nov. 14 when he did not show up for work. Wing commander Col.

Fairchild security forces provide combat skills training

Because Airmen are deploying to hostile areas, the Air Force directed major commands to provide those deploying intensive expeditionary combat skills training. Since much of the training is ground-combat related, security forces are providing the training. Fairchild has started providing its

Ramstein displays Berlin Airlift window

A historic stained glass window from the Rhein-Main Air Base chapel now hangs in the passenger terminal here. The window commemorates the U.S. servicemembers who died during the Berlin Airlift, which lasted from June 1948 through September 1949. The Rhein-Main chapel closed Aug. 2 and the window

Small team has Herculean task

Little known to many here is a team of 30 operators, engineers and contractors vital to the training of C-130 Hercules aircrews around the world. The team oversees more than 1,700 training courses, more than $500 million in contracts and training simulators in 10 locations worldwide. Detachment 3,