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,

Chaplains deal with deployment issues

Whether conducting service or casually chatting with Airmen seeking spiritual guidance, military chaplains here stand ready to help. The 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing’s five chaplains and three assistants offer the same services found at stateside bases. That is in addition to dealing with the unique

Revamped portal better information gateway

Users who sign on to the Air Force Portal will find an improved system that not only looks better, but is more user-friendly and effective. The redesign is the first in two years. The portal is meant to be the one place Airmen go to accomplish anything they do online. That is whether it’s part of

Global health records system goes electronic

The Department of Defense achieved a major milestone today, when it launched AHLTA, its global electronic health record system. Dr. William Winkenwerder, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, launched the system at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. Michael O. Leavitt,

Falcons upset Lobos, 42-24

Air Force played its most complete game of the year, crushing the University of New Mexico Lobos, 42-24, in the Mountain West Conference regular season finale for both teams. Air Force traded in training camp wristbands with the motto “Every Play, Every Day,” for ones that sported its playbook for

Uncle, niece serving together in Iraq

When serving half a world away from home, many servicemembers treasure the little tokens they brought with them to remind them of home. Reserve Senior Master Sgt. Michael Brimmer, the 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron first sergeant, has more than that -- his niece, Army Spc. Angela

Story time from thousands of miles away

After years of deployments, some of the ideas Airmen come up with evolve. As the holidays approach, one of those simple ideas is making an impact on family members back home. The Story Time Video Program gives deployed troops here the opportunity to be a part of their children’s lives though they

Air Force sets physical training uniform wear date

The Air Force Uniform Board established an Oct. 1, 2006, mandatory wear date of the physical training uniform, or PTU, for unit fitness activities. The board also released additional guidance for Airmen wearing the uniform for personal workouts. Airmen may wear the PTU during personal workouts given

NSPS implementation date moves to Feb. 1

The Department of Defense will delay implementing the new National Security Personnel System until Feb. 1, acting Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England said. Mr. England, and other defense and Office of Personnel Management officials, provided an update on the system matters to members of the

Building Iraqi air force is tough job

Building a nation's air force from the runway up is never going to be easy, a fact one can see at first glance. Dig a layer deeper, and the issues increase dramatically. For the Coalition Air Force Transition Team -- a U.S. Central Command Air Forces think tank of 28 specialists assisting with the

Leaders say Cope India 'great success'

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

Deployed? Find something to sweat about

Categorizing events on the weekly base activities calendar reveals a simple truth about the Airmen deployed here: They love to stay active, even after a 12-hour shift. “It’s the whole ‘Fit to Fight’ mindset along with the chance for people to enjoy themselves,” said Tech. Sgt. L.J. Kincade, the

Fire rescue team supports combat operations

The role of Air Force firefighters is changing here, with tents replacing fire station, dirt airfields and, at times, rocket attacks. In the last six months, a six-man Air Force fire and crash rescue unit has gone on five missions into some of Afghanistan’s most remote areas. There was enough

Twin brothers in arms

Some brothers live near each other. Some take vacations together. And some share grand adventures. But seldom do two deploy to a war zone to see more of one another. Travis and Terence Mimms did. Identical twins born eight minutes apart, they found themselves deployed to the same location. Strange

Airmen, Sailors supporting Dubai air show

Airmen and Sailors are here to support the Dubai Air Show -- the third largest in the world -- over the next week. About 300 Airmen and Sailors, and more than 20 different Air Force and Navy aircraft from bases in the Persian Gulf region, Europe and the United States, will support the air show from

'America Supports You' marks first anniversary

One year ago this week, the Defense Department launched "America Supports You." This program showcases the nation's support for its men and women in uniform and the many ways citizens are expressing that support. Today, what began as a six-month campaign, has snowballed into a full-fledged effort

Elmendorf duo help nab truck thief

Anchorage police are calling two Airmen heroic for their actions in helping catch a truck thief. Staff Sgts. Joseph Harder and William Young, of the 3rd Equipment Maintenance Squadron’s aerospace ground equipment section, pulled off the feat. The two were on their way to a restaurant for a

Air Force continues Pakistan aid support

The Air Force continues to support Pakistani-led earthquake recovery operations by airlifting much-needed supplies into the devastated region Nov. 11 to 18. Five C-130 Hercules, four C-17 Globemaster IIIs, two contracted B-747s, one contracted B-757 and one contracted AN-124 Condor flew in more than

Test helping put the LIDS on decontamination

Airmen from four major commands were here this week to test the effectiveness of a new decontamination system during an exercise that ends Nov. 18. The team is testing the lightweight inflatable decontamination system to see if it can effectively accomplish aircrew and ground crew contamination

‘Cop-pilots’ fly their own kind of plane

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

Minot completes Minuteman emergency communications upgrade

The 91st Space Wing completed the last modifications to its Minuteman minimum essential emergency communication network at the Oscar-01 missile alert facility in the Minuteman missile complex. The completion of Oscar-01, Nov. 11, marked the final modification to the last of 50 launch control centers

New lieutenant colonels to attend senior developmental education

The P0505A Lieutenant Colonel Central Selection Board selected officers for promotion and identified senior developmental education "selects." The board met at the Air Force Personnel Center here. Selects join a resource pool of officers who will be considered for future attendance at in-residence

Sergeant sentenced in cocaine case

A military judge on Nov. 16 sentenced a staff sergeant for possession and intent to distribute cocaine. Staff Sgt. Vincent U. Kerley received a bad conduct discharge, three years confinement, reduction in rank to airman basic and forfeiture of all future pay and allowances. The sergeant plead guilty

A-staff helps sustain joint humanitarian effort

The 818th Contingency Response Group and 24th Air Expeditionary Group continue handling hundreds of thousands of pounds of cargo each day as part of the continuing Pakistani earthquake recovery effort. Col. Richard Walberg, who commands both groups, said while much of the "visible work" goes on in

American peacekeepers helping families in Kosovo

Their eyes have lost their luster. And their vacant and distant stares are enough to melt even the coldest heart. The people in Kosovo yearn for life’s most basic needs, silently crying for help from anyone who will hear them. But their silent cry has not gone unnoticed. The Airmen, Soldiers, Marine

Pararescuemen continue Pakistan humanitarian relief

Above the mountainous countryside of northern Pakistan, two Air Force pararescuemen aboard a Russian-made MI-8 helicopter survey areas where people may need relief supplies. These Airmen, known as PJs, are part of a unit that traveled halfway around the world to participate in the ongoing

Online process simplifies tuition assistance

Airmen are only a few mouse clicks away from financial support for their college education, thanks to the tuition assistance feature on the Air Force’s virtual education center. Online since early 2003, the center helps active-duty, Guard and reserve Airmen pursue their off-duty education from a

B-52 simulator plays big role in exercise

A B-52 Stratofortress simulator is allowing 11th Bomb Squadron students to train with Soldiers and Airmen near Fort Polk, La., taking part in the live fire portion of exercise Air Warrior II. The simulator provides Airmen here a unique training opportunity -- and an alternative to participating in

Los Angeles center partners with AFIT, Loyola

The Space and Missile Systems Center and Air Force Institute of Technology entered a new partnership with Loyola Marymount University to meet the center’s educational goals. Lt. Gen. Michael Hamel, SMC commander, Brig. Gen. Mark Matthews, AFIT commandant and Dr. Richard G. Plumb, Dean of the Seaver

Air Force fighters strike insurgents

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

Airmen give Iraqi children cheer, supplies

Coalition forces brought some much needed cheer to school children in Umm Qasr, when they conducted a humanitarian relief mission to the Iraqi town. Airman from the 586th and 886th Expeditionary Security Forces squadrons here joined forces with their Army and British counterparts to delivered more

Sergeant provides Cope India 06's contract for success

Food, bottled water, rooms, cars and cell phones -– it takes all of these things and more to make a deployed unit function smoothly in a foreign country. Getting all of this for the 250 U.S. Airmen supporting exercise Cope India 06 is just one person -– Master Sgt. Elizabeth Wills, from the 374th

Communicators lay foundation for Afghanistan’s future

Before U.S. forces return the airport terminal and tower here to Afghan control, combat communicators first installed more than a mile of copper and fiber cable. Airmen from the 451st Air Expeditionary Group communications flight here stepped up to install the critical communications cables when an

Big bangs destroy 2,000 munitions

Airmen from the 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal flight detonated 2,000 munitions, keeping them the out of the hands of insurgents. It took four detonations to destroy the weapons, which members of the Iraqi national guard had captured. After each big bang,

Tuskegee Airmen get Air Force update

Members of the famed Tuskegee Airmen visited the Pentagon to learn about today's Air Force and visit with the secretary of defense. The Airmen visited Nov. 10. One pioneering Airman, retired Lt. Col. Howard Baugh, took time to reflect on the changes in the military since the day he joined in 1942.

Maintainers rescue 'Herc' stranded in Mosul

Two maintainers went to Mosul, Iraq, to rescue a stranded C-130 Hercules cargo plane. Hydraulics specialist Staff Sgt. David Harrelson and crew chief Senior Airman Brian Kundick, of the 386th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, went to Mosul Nov. 12. The Airmen boarded a C-130 and flew into

Fundamentals course gives space students head start

A training squadron here is offering students the first-ever spacelift course. Taught by instructors of the 392nd Training Squadron, the two-week class provides students training in spacelift concepts, capabilities and operations. There was a need for the course. In January 2004, Air Force Space

Teamwork keeps Balad power on

A group of Airmen has the tough and fast-paced job of maintaining all the generators that power this desert base. The Airmen are with the 727th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron’s aerospace ground equipment and heating ventilation and air conditioning shop. They stay busy. "Power generation is the

Tricare: Weigh facts before getting Medicare part D

Medicare's new prescription drug plan opens today, but Tricare Management Activity officials encourage beneficiaries to weigh the facts before deciding whether to sign on to the plan. Coverage under the new prescription drug plan, called Medicare Part D, begins Jan. 1 and is open to anyone already

Controllers keep Balad traffic flowing

A director producing a blockbuster film must know where each actor and camera is at all times to ensure the right shot. Air traffic controllers from the 332nd Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron must be just as diligent to ensure aircraft take off and land safely at this busy base. The

Airmen compete for spot with Tops In Blue

Airmen from around the Air Force got the chance to showcase their talents during the Air Force Worldwide Talent Contest at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. This year, Tops In Blue officials went through 117 video applications looking for talent, selecting 61 applicants to compete in the talent show,

Airmen reach out to help Kyrgyz children

Some Kyrgyz children stricken with cancer now have a new, safer place to play -- thanks to a group of concerned Airmen deployed to this base. The Airmen, volunteer members of the Manas Air Base Outreach Society, find ways to help the people of this country. Most recently, the group donated clothing,

Soldiers win first Camp Bucca Raft Race

Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors traded their military vehicles and weapons for homemade boats and paddles to take part in the first-ever Camp Bucca Raft Race. The Air Force-sponsored race, held Nov. 13 on a small pond here, matched the talents and ingenuity of 17 teams vying for the top prize and camp

President Bush thanks troops at Elmendorf

President George Bush stopped here on the first leg of his week-long Asia tour and thanked servicemembers and civilians for volunteering to serve and continuing the fight the global war on terrorism. It was the president’s second visit here. He spoke for nearly 45 minutes with more than 4,500

Airmen should verify deployment credit

Airmen not issued contingency, exercise or deployment orders should verify their personnel records include credit for those deployments. A deployment is any temporary duty away from home station filling a validated combatant or component commander or supported major command requirement for forces in

Short tour credit for Naples, Latina ending

The Air Force will discontinue the temporary exception to award short tour credit to Airmen serving long tour assignments at Naples and Latina, Italy, effective Jan. 1. Airmen assigned to either location between March 1, 1996 and Dec. 31, 2005 will continue to receive the short tour credit. The Air

Logistics center keeps Stratotanker 'booming'

The aerial refueling capability of the KC-135 Stratotanker is an essential component of the Air Force’s worldwide mission. And the experts in two Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center shops ensure every refueling the tankers make is safe and successful. Specifically, the two shops work on the KC-135’s

Airmen defend against rabies menace

Against the backdrop of a rising sun, a small group of Airmen make their way stealthily around the in search of the enemy. Their mission is safeguarding the Airmen, Soldiers and Department of Defense contractors assigned here from some dangerous intruders: stray animals. Team of pest management

Communications network impacts intelligence

The blue forces are pinned down. Mortars are exploding all around them. A blue force attack controller requests help from a nearby MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle armed with Hellfire missiles. The Air Force responds to the request. The attack controller on the ground is able to locate and

Airman says manual, training saved his life

When he went to sleep one night, Staff Sgt. Stephen Jones felt tingling in his fingers and toes and had a high fever and chills. Sergeant Jones remembered from reading his Airman’s Manual -- and from his pre-deployment self-aid and buddy care training -- that those signs were serious. He realized he

Wargames are serious business

To the untrained eye it seems to be a room full of computers. However, to Airmen of the 608th Combat Operations Squadron the combined air and space operations center here is a lethal weapon system. “It’s the total package, we find the target, fix the position, track it, engage the target and assess

Airman, volunteers working to renovate hospital

Airmen from the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing here are revamping the Air Force theater hospital, creating a brighter and safer environment for patients and providers. The 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, 332nd Expeditionary Communications Squadron and 332nd Expeditionary Medical Support

Labor Department launches veterans employment program

Military personnel and veterans will receive 300,000 wallet-sized cards and key charms with critical employment and job-training information in the next six months, the U.S. Department of Labor said. The department also unveiled the recovery and employment assistance lifelines -- REALifelines --

Innovative program helps troubled veterans turn lives around

A unique center is helping troubled veterans turn their lives around by providing a military style program designed to help them beat addictions, develop career skills, land jobs, find homes and become productive citizens. The Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training, MCVET for short,

General Smith takes helm of joint forces, NATO transformation commands

Gen. Lance L. Smith took command of NATO's Allied Command Transformation and U.S. Joint Forces Command during an assumption ceremony aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower at the Norfolk Naval Station here. General Smith assumed his duties Nov. 10. He thanked the personnel of both commands for their

DOD seeks more civilians for flexible spending accounts

It may be the most underused good deal in the government. But less than 5 percent of eligible Department of Defense civilians have enrolled to use flexible-spending accounts. The benefit, also known as FSAFEDS, allows federal employees to set aside pre-tax money for a wide rage of medical and

Accident report out on Iraqi Comp Air 7SL

Air Force Special Operations Command ended its investigation into the May 30 crash of an Iraqi air force Comp Air 7SL aircraft in Iraq that killed five Airmen. The primary purpose of the investigation was to set forth factual information concerning the accident. But because the investigation lacked