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U.S. Air Force News

  • Pilots contribute to sorties milestone, much more

    At 6 a.m., it's another early April morning in Iraq as the two pilots deployed from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, get ready to venture into harm's way yet again. It's a day like many others the pilots, assigned to the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, have experienced since arriving here in

  • Funding concerns remain for morale, welfare programs

    The director of Air Force Services testified before a house subcommittee April 17 about child care and other morale, welfare and recreation issues. "We've had significant budget cuts, and we've seen our programs reduced across the board," Arthur Myers said to members of the House Armed Services

  • Air Force mission is more than just aircraft

    While typical perceptions associated with the Air Force in combat might involve aircraft dropping bombs on targets, the several hundred security forces Airmen deployed here are proving these stereotypes outdated. The Air Force's main mission at Kirkuk is not to fly daily combat sorties, but to

  • American servicemembers visit Honduran military academy

    A group of U.S. Airmen and Soldiers from here gained insight into the Honduran military training academy and saw firsthand how the institution prepares candidates for service in the Honduran army April 16 in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Academy staff and instructors welcomed the servicemembers from Soto

  • Airmen, reconstruction team improve Iraqi living conditions

    Airmen teamed with members of the Kirkuk Air Base Provincial Reconstruction Team during a training session designed to help Iraqis improve waste management practices in the region April 16 here. Members of the 506th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Vehicle Management Flight trained 11

  • Gates urges unconventional thinkers to address unconventional challenges

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates challenged military officers to become forward thinkers with the courage to advance new approaches needed to confront current and emerging threats. "An unconventional era of warfare requires unconventional thinkers," Secretary Gates told Air War College students

  • Air traffic controllers keep aircraft soaring

    Air traffic controllers of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing here were responsible for more than 1,250 operations on their airfield and in their airspace in just one week in April. With dozens of combat and combat support sorties originating here every day, it's not hard to realize air traffic

  • B-2s return to flight after safety pause

    A B-2 Spirit made a successful return to flight April 15 here after a 53-day safety pause for the aircraft following the first-ever crash of a stealth bomber Feb. 23 in Guam. While an accident investigation board is still ongoing, Air Force and Air Combat Command maintenance and safety experts gave

  • Senior leaders meet at Blue Summit

    On the 66th anniversary of the historic Doolittle Raid on imperial Japan, Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley gathered every Air Force general officer and senior civilian to chart the future of air, space and cyberspace power at the Blue Summit.

  • New leader of Air Force Materiel Command named

    Department of Defense officials announced April 18 Lt. Gen. Donald J. Hoffman, currently the military deputy in the Office of the Assistant Air Force Secretary for Acquisition at the Pentagon, was selected to become the sixth commander of Air Force Materiel Command. President George

  • Bagram Airmen fly outside the box

    The job of locating and returning servicemembers throughout the area of responsibility has taken a back seat for Airmen of the 305th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron here who now help save lives. Bagram Air Base Airmen provide aeromedical evacuation with their HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters for injured

  • Air Force officials observe National Small Business Week

    Small businesses support the full spectrum of Air Force operations that helps Airmen fly and fight in air, space and cyberspace, and Air Force officials are observing National Small Business Week that runs April 21 through 25.Small businesses deliver in a big way in innovation and technology to help

  • April 20 airpower summary: C-130s transport cargo

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations April 20, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles performed shows of force in

  • Singapore aircraft signals strong coalition relationship

    Airmen of the Singapore air force rejoined the U.S. Air Force fleet here when one of their four KC-135 refueling aircraft arrived to take its place with dozens of U.S. assets April 16 on this Southwest Asian air base flightline. As coalition partners, the Singapore air force mission is to integrate

  • 'Today's Air Force' features Air Force builders

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights a self-sufficient unit that builds from the ground up through blistering heat, high winds, and sandstorms.  These Airmen work long hours; establishing shelters and personnel tents, most often in Afghanistan or Iraq. Also featured is a Fit for

  • April 19 airpower summary: B-1Bs bomb enemy targets

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations April 19, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle performed a show of force

  • April 18 airpower summary: C-17s sustain operations

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations April 18, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles performed shows of force in

  • Reserve, active-duty Airmen fly last Antarctica mission

    A total force aircrew from McChord Air Force Base, Wash., made history April 17 during the last Operation Deep Freeze mission of the 2007-2008 season. With only eight days remaining before Antarctica becomes shrouded in 24-hour darkness during winter, Airmen from the 446th and 62nd Airlift Wings

  • Air Force officials announce 2007 weather awards

    Air Force officials have released the 2007 Air Force Weather Awards. Military recipients of individual or team awards are entitled to wear the Air Force Recognition Ribbon, and civilian recipients of individual and team awards are entitled to wear the Air Force Recognition Lapel Pin. The Air Force

  • Medics deliver superior care, Air Force leaders testify

    Two Air Force medical leaders told the Senate Subcommittee of Defense April 16 in Washington that the Air Force's state of medical readiness is aligned with the service's top priorities. "Unmistakably, it is the daily delivery of health care that allows us to maintain critical skills that guarantee

  • Kunsan Airman receives scholarship award

    A Kunsan Air Base Airman was awarded a scholarship for her exemplary service April 17 at a banquet in Seoul, South Korea. Airman 1st Class Jannette Meireles, an 8th Security Forces Squadron town patrol member, was recognized by United Service Organizations officials during the annual Six-Star Salute

  • Deep Freeze Airmen warm New Zealand community's heart

    Five-year-old Benjamin Laury talked about elephants, storm troopers and how cool pilots are -- all in a single, convoluted sentence -- as he looked around a C-17 Globemaster III April 17 here. As part of a home-schooling group invited to check out the enormous airplane that just flew into their

  • Ellsworth first in Air Force to receive EPA incentives

    Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., is the first Air Force installation to receive special incentives from the Environmental Protection Agency based on its exceptional example as a steward of the environment. The criteria for entering into the EPA's Performance Track program include having an

  • Delivering the goods

    Master Sgt. Anthony Harrington directs the cargo to be loaded on a C-130 Hercules during an Operation Enduring Freedom mission April 16 from Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. Sergeant Harrington is a loadmaster assigned to the 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron and deployed from the 109th Airlift

  • Bagram Airmen operate new transporter

    The Air Force high deck patient loading platform was designated operational with the transfer of five patients during a KC-135 Stratotanker channel mission from Afghanistan to Germany April 9. The HDPLP is a special-purpose vehicle with an enclosed lighted and climate-controlled cabin designed to

  • Officials award $194.5 million consolidation contract

    The Army Corps of Engineers district office in Louisville, Ky., announced April 16 the construction contract award that will house the bulk of missions consolidating here as a result of Base Realignment and Closure 2005 decisions. A joint venture that includes Dayton, Ohio, contractor Butt

  • Award winners save $14.7 million for Air Force

    Nine individuals who saved the Air Force $14.7 million were recognized April 8 at the Pentagon as seven individuals won Air Force Productivity Excellence Awards and two won Air Force Exceptional Innovator Awards. Lt. Gen. Richard Y. Newton III, the Air Force deputy chief of staff for manpower,

  • April 17 airpower summary: B-1B deters enemy

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations April 17, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles performed shows of force in

  • Analysts recall pioneering scientist

    Top Air Force analysts are remembering the pioneering work of Dr. Alex Orden, who died five months after they honored him and a co-worker during a 60th anniversary celebration at the Pentagon. Dr. Orden worked from 1947 to 1952 on Project SCOOP, the Scientific Computation of Optimum Programs, which

  • Cyber Command officials define unit's scope

    Ray guns and light sabers may be weapons of science fiction, but using energy as a warfighting tool is one area that members of the Air Force Cyber Command's 450th Electronic Warfare Wing will be charged with exploring. While details of the wing's composition, mission and manning are still being

  • SECAF receives DOD/IG investigation report

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne took administrative action on three members, including a general officer, and referred action for two others to their chain of command, for their roles in the Thunderbird Air Show Production Services contract. The decision follows the completion of a

  • April 16 airpower summary: C-17s provide intra-theater airlift

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations April 16, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs performed shows of force in

  • Air Force enhances medical scholarships with $20,000 bonus

    Students selected by Air Force officials for three- or four-year medical school scholarships in fiscal 2008 will get an extra $20,000 in their wallets with the new Critical Skills Accession Bonus. Qualified Medical Corps Health Professions Scholarship Program recipients awarded contracts from Oct.

  • Airman becomes citizen in Pentagon ceremony

    Senior Airman Cassandra Obermuller Brandon's grandmother set her straight. For years, the Airman flip-flopped around the idea of becoming an American citizen. Born and raised in Linden, Guyana, the 28-year-old Air Force reservist still felt a connection to the warm, tropical land of her birth. But

  • Joint Chiefs chairman strives for balance in current role

    To keep U.S. forces well resourced, trained and poised for unknown future threats, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff strives for balance, he said April 16. Whether weighing regional versus global threats, military resources against mission needs, or adjusting the amount of deployment time

  • Dover chosen best base in Air Force

    Dover Air Force Base is the Air Force winner of the 2008 Commander-in-Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence, Department of Defense officials announced April 14. The Commander-in-Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence recognizes the outstanding and innovative efforts of the

  • New satellite provides more power, better warfighter support

    The most powerful communications satellite in the Department of Defense inventory is circling the Earth and went operational April 15.The Wideband Global SATCOM, or WGS, satellite is the first of six satellites that will take over long-haul communications from the legacy constellation, the Defense

  • Officials work to improve absentee-voting procedures, boost participation

    The Defense Department has made great strides over the past four years to ensure servicemembers, particularly those stationed and deployed overseas, have greater opportunity to vote, a senior defense official told Congress April 15. Michael L. Dominguez, principal deputy undersecretary of defense

  • Did you say CSI or AFOSI?

    First responders here received training April 15 from an Air Force Office of Special Investigations crime scene investigator on how to process a hazardous materials incident. Special Agent Jennifer Steel, one of AFOSI's forensic science consultants, came to Vance to teach people from

  • German sergeant enrolls in USAFE NCO Academy

    German air force Master Sgt. Holger Fels is no stranger to teaching professional development to airmen in Germany's 70,000-member "Luftwaffe." What he's not so familiar with is how to impart the same type of knowledge is to Airmen in America's Air Force. Recently hand-selected from 200 of his fellow

  • Military revs up campaign against tobacco

    Military officials here boosted its efforts to campaign against the use of tobacco by providing a number of strategies recently. Quitting for other people is the focal part of the campaign, which urges tobacco users to consider dropping the habit for loved ones. The expense of taxpayers is also a

  • International basketball tournament kicks off at Lackland

    A crowd of more than 100 people witnessed the opening ceremony of the 2008 International Military Sports Council Basketball Tournament April 14 at the Lackland Air Force Base parade grounds. The tournament features teams from the United States, Greece, Italy, South Korea, Canada, Latvia and

  • ARPC officials announce major promotions

    Air Reserve Personnel Center officials announced the fiscal 2009 Air Force Reserve Line and Health Major Promotion Selection Board results April 15. This board selected 478 of 1,684 Air Force Reserve officers considered. Board results are: Participating selection statistics in-the-promotion zone--

  • Air Force Assistance Fund campaign ends May 4

    There is still time for Airmen to make a contribution to the Air Force Assistance Fund campaign, which began Feb. 12 and ends May 4. As of April 15, this year's AFAF campaign is $2.2 million short of its $5.7 million goal. Last year, Airmen exceeded the campaign goal of $5.3 million with more than

  • Red Flag-Alaska pilots engage in realistic combat scenarios

    Aerial dog-fights between 10 or more jets and dodging simulated missiles may sound like a boss-level of a video game, but it's really the daunting experience of a combat pilot during the Exercise Red Flag-Alaska 08-2 that runs April 3 through 18 at Eielson Air Force Base. Red Flag-Alaska is a

  • April 15 airpower summary: Predator strikes enemy

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations April 15, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs performed shows of force in

  • Consultant program begins at ACC family readiness centers

    Eleven Air Combat Command bases will start using a new Military and Family Life Consultant Program by April 28 to meet the emerging needs of active duty Airmen, guardsmen, reservists and their family members. The new program will provide workshops and nonmedical, short-term counseling services to

  • Airman's Roll Call highlights diversity in the Air Force

    This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on preparing Airmen to deal with a dynamic culturally diverse environment. Today's Airmen must be prepared to work with, or fight against, military forces and people of differing cultures and view. Airmen must all be committed to an environment of mutual

  • Presidential Rank Awards presented to senior AF civilians

    Air Force officials recognized the career achievements of 20 senior civilians April 14 during the annual Presidential Rank Awards Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. "Our distinguished winners are products of a lifetime of dedication to their trade (and) the Air Force," said Secretary of the

  • Pearl-like coating from oysters could protect aircraft

    Scientists from the University of Dayton Research Institute have manipulated the process of shell and pearl formation in oysters to demonstrate a method for depositing pearl-like coatings onto various metal surfaces. This biomimetic research could lead to new lightweight, durable coatings able to

  • Coast Guard awards sergeant for heroic actions

    Staff Sgt. John M. Rosenberry, Sr., poses alongside the gravesite of his friend Kevin Mark Emerson in Jetersville, Va., after the Coast Guard presented him a medal for his life-saving actions during a ceremony April 11. Sergeant Rosenberry was awarded the Coast Guard Silver Lifesaving Medal, and Mr.

  • C-130 unit gets a new bird with an old history

    For years, U.S. Air Force, coalition and sister service forces have relied on the steady stream of supplies and equipment brought in by aircrews flying KC-135 Stratotankers, C-130 Hercules, C-17 Globemaster IIIs and other airlift workhorses. One airplane new to Southwest Asia carries something

  • Deadline set for officers to apply for broadening programs

    Air Force officers considering advanced academic degree and experience broadening programs in 2009 have until June 6 to apply, Air Force Personnel Center officials here said. Officers in space/missiles operations, intelligence, weather, logistics, civil engineering, program management, developmental

  • CMSAF addresses Academy cadets

    Academy cadets had an opportunity to receive insight from the Air Force's top enlisted member April 10. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney McKinley visited the Academy to address cadets from the classes of 2008 and 2009 in Arnold Hall at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. Be a sponge and soak

  • April 14 airpower summary: F-15s destroy enemy combatants

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations April 14, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles performed shows of force in

  • Airmen respond to coalition fire in Iraq

    Airmen from the Ali Base fire department and provost marshal's office responded to a structure fire in the Romanian coalition force camp here April 11 here. The 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters and military police Airmen from the 407th Provost Marshal's office immediately

  • Trial date set for former legal officer

    A trial judge approved the former commander of the Air Force Legal Operations Agency's defense counsel's requests for deferments of plea and court forum choice during an arraignment April 14 in a courtroom at Bolling Air Force Base, D.C. Col. Michael Murphy's general court-martial was tentatively

  • Secretary of state receives honorary Air University degree

    Air University officials presented an honorary doctor of letters degree upon Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice for her academic achievements and contributions to international relations and national security April 14 here. Lt. Gen. Stephen R. Lorenz, the Air University commander, gave Secretary

  • Smart Ops teams simplify processes to save thousands, earn certification

    Thousands of dollars in savings are on the horizon for Tinker Air Force Base as a result of the work by two AFSO21 process improvement teams who presented their final projects and graduated from training Jan. 14.In August, two four-member teams were given one Air Logistics Center problem each with a

  • Postmark commemorates Air Force Reserve anniversary

    The U.S. Postal Service is helping the Air Force Reserve celebrate its 60th anniversary with a commemorative pictorial cancellation that went into circulation April 14. A pictorial cancellation is a unique postmark offered by the Postal Service for special events. Maj. Todd Copley of the 94th

  • Air Force Reserve highlights birthday, future

    The Air Force Reserve was formally established April 14, 1948, and Air Force reservists have served proudly and with great distinction ever since. It is 60 years old today! And today, responding to a variety of threats to our national security and fighting a global war on terrorism, we serve with

  • Air Force secretary tells cadets of changing times

    The Air Force has met the challenge of change with a combination of innovation, adaptability and flexibility for the last 60 years, said the Air Force secretary in his address to first and third class cadets April 8 in Arnold Hall here. "Character and leadership skills are always in high demand and

  • Eielson intelligence flight supports Red Flag-Alaska

    Airmen with the 354th Operations Support Squadron Intelligence Flight here are providing U.S. and allied forces intelligence scenarios and targeting materials to support Exercise Red Flag-Alaska 08-2 running April 3 through 18. Eielson Air Force Base and Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, are the home of Red

  • Honduras, American medics gather to share skills

    More than 35 Honduran doctors, nurses and emergency medical members met with Joint Task Force-Bravo medics to discuss emergency procedures April 6 at Hospital Militar Luis Alonso Discua in Honduras. During the exchange, American medics stationed at Soto Cono Air Base explained emergency protocols

  • Tiny stones cause boulder-sized pain for those deployed

    Battlefield warriors, in peak physical condition, the toughest of the tough, are being brought to their knees, writhing on the floor in tears and pain. The culprit -- kidney stones. Surgeries to remove the small calcium deposits are the most common non-trauma related surgery performed at the Air

  • Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment underway

    The Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment 2008 third quarter event kicked off here April 14 and will run through April 25 after two years of planning and preparation by Air Force officials. Global Cyberspace Integration Center officials here will lead the experiment with participation from sister

  • 'Today's Air Force' features winning today's fight

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights today's fight for tomorrow's victory. Victory requires a force to maintain global vigilance, reach and power, and the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile is the essence of global reach and power.  Also necessary to win today's fight

  • Deployed Airmen serve on Reserve's 60th anniversary

    More than 1,400 Air Force reservists will celebrate their command's 60th anniversary April 14 while fighting the war on terrorism throughout U.S. Central Command's 27-nation area of responsibility throughout Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa. "The real success story is you cannot tell the

  • Innovative idea saves nearly $400,000

    Contracting officers recently leveraged the benefits of technology to save $395,000 for the Air Force at a Southwest Asia air base. Airmen from the 386th Expeditionary Contracting Squadron used electronic reverse auctioning or e-RA to save the Air Force hundreds of thousands of dollars. Reverse

  • April 13 airpower summary: C-130s provide heavy airlift support

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations April 13, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs performed shows of force in

  • Airpower summary for April 12: Predators patrol Iraqi skies

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations April 12, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped guided bomb

  • Airpower summary for April 11: A-10s support ground forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations April 11, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs performed shows of force

  • UAV destroys mortar position, kills 6

    An air strike by a coalition forces' unmanned aerial vehicle killed six enemy combatants and injured one who were firing mortars at around 2:30 a.m. April 11 at Iraqi security forces in Basra. The enemy combatants were observed in the Hyanniyah district by a coalition aircraft and positively

  • Air Force official calls for input from deployed Airmen

    The assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and Reserve affairs met with Airmen here April 9 to discuss important issues affecting as he tours the deployed theater. Craig W. Duehring met with several Air Force active-duty, Guard and Reserve members deployed to the 380th Air Expeditionary

  • General speaks about mentorship at Women's Final Four

    The young lieutenant sat in the copilot's chair and tried to decide what she was going to do.Some of the dials on the control panel were not in the right position, but did she dare correct the pilot? She thought the grizzled lieutenant colonel, who was notorious for showing no mercy to young pilots,

  • Sheppard officials begin replacing T-37s with T-6A Texan II

    The T-37 Tweet officially began its march toward full retirement March 31 when 80th Flying Training Wing officials here "took the car keys" to its replacement, the T-6A Texan II. Retired Navy Rear Adm. James Maslowski, the vice president of government business for Hawker Beechcraft in Wichita, Kan.,

  • Young Iraqi burn victim progressing well

    Since 3-year-old Al Amreeki left Balad Air Base, Iraq, with more than 45 percent of his body burned from a stove fire at his home, he has come a long way due to treatment from Airmen and medics throughout the world.The young boy's uncle brought him to the Air Force Theater Hospital in Iraq Jan. 25,

  • April 10 airpower summary: Predator fires missiles on enemy mortar team

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations April 10, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a Royal Air Force GR-9 Harrier dropped an Enhanced Paveway

  • UAV kills 6 heavily armed enemy combatants in Iraq

    An unmanned aerial vehicle fired a Hellfire missile killing six heavily armed enemy combatants at approximately 9:45 p.m. April 10 in Baghdad, Iraq.Coalition forces from Multinational Division - Baghdad operating the UAV observed a large group of enemy combatants with rocket-propelled grenade

  • Air Force rallies to beat Colorado Christian

    Josh Meents doubled in Tytus Moss in the tenth inning as Air Force walked away with a 9-8 win over Colorado Christian April 8 in non-conference baseball action at the Academy's Falcon Field. The Falcons improve to 11-19 on the season while the Cougars fell to 10-28. Alexander led off the tenth with

  • Air Force engineers work 'outside the wire' every day

    As part of a Provincial Reconstruction Team it is common to go "outside the wire" to do work. While some may only leave the base once a week, engineers are out there every day conducting site assessments, quality control missions and preparing the province to respond to natural disasters. April 1,

  • Airmen help flooding recovery efforts

    Airmen from McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., recently provided satellite imagery to assist state and federal agencies in relief efforts following flooding in Missouri and Arkansas. Members of the 169th Communications Flight at McEntire Joint National Guard Base collected imagery using Eagle

  • Potential Olympians to compete in tournament at Lackland

    Some of the world's best military basketball players are converging on Lackland Air Force Base for the International Military Sports Council Basketball Tournament April 7 through April 22. Military teams from Greece, Italy, Korea, Canada, Latvia and Lithuania will join the United States team in an

  • Special tactics recruiting takes flight

    The Air Force's ongoing need to fill critically manned special tactics positions -- particularly combat controllers and pararescuemen -- has brought about a unique initiative between officials from Air Force Recruiting Service and Air Force Special Operations Command. A recent agreement between AFRS

  • Euro-NATO committee has eyes on future

    The spring Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program's Steering Committee completed its weeklong discussions April 4 regarding the future of the program, including its syllabus, budget and infrastructure. The committee also said goodbye to six-year chairman Royal Netherlands Air Force Air Commodore

  • Readiness Centers help families displaced by danger

    With the political system was deteriorating in March in Belgrade, Serbia, State Department officials announced an authorized departure order for eligible family members and non-emergency employees from Belgrade, including one Air Force family. But when families landed at their "safe haven" in the

  • New field account reps help information flow

    Communication to and from the Air Force Personnel Center and personnelists in the field took the next big step, thanks to the recent creation of a field account representative team at AFPC. The concept was designed to improve AFPC's timeliness in delivering information to personnel professionals and

  • Helicopter retires after service in Vietnam, Iraq

    MH-53 Pave Low helicopter tail number 68-10357 flew its final mission and last flight supporting special operations forces March 28 in Iraq after 38 years of service. The helicopter was the lead command and control helicopter for a mission to rescue approximately 50 American prisoners of war from

  • Chief receives Air Force Cross 40 years after mission

    A retired chief master sergeant was awarded the Air Force Cross 40 years after the mission which earned him the Air Force's second-highest honor April 5 here. Nearly 300 members of Chief Master Sgt. Dennis Richardson's former unit attended the ceremony for the flight engineer with the 106th Rescue

  • More civilian providers accepting Tricare Standard

    There's good news for Tricare Standard beneficiaries. More civilian providers are accepting new patients, according to a recently released survey. Yet, Tricare officials acknowledge that increasing the number of providers and types of providers across the nation remains a high priority, especially

  • Ammo troops make explosive impact on B-52 mission

    Airmen of the 36th Wing here, with their B-52 Stratofortress long-range bombers, have the capability of launching missions from Andersen to any location at any time and to anywhere. The B-52 can carry 70,000 pounds of the widest array of weapons in the U.S. inventory. This devastating flying arsenal

  • April 8 airpower summary: C-17s transport supplies

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations April 8, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fired cannon rounds and

  • Predator crashes in Iraq

    An Air Force MQ-1 Predator crashed northwest of Balad, Iraq, at approximately 7:10 p.m. local time April 9. The aircraft was launched from Ali Base, Iraq. The aircraft is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft. The MQ-1's primary mission is conducting armed reconnaissance. A