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U.S. Air Force News

  • Basketball: Air Force downs Northern Colorado, 56-53

    Led by 22 points from Alecia Steele, the U.S. Air Force Academy women's basketball team squeaked by Northern Colorado 56-53 Dec. 5 at the Butler-Hancock Sports Pavilion in Greeley, Colo. Steele, a Falcons senior, had a season-high 22 points and nine rebounds in a career-high 40 minutes and took over

  • Officials stand down F-15 A-D models until further notice

    The commander of Air Combat Command directed the stand-down Dec. 3 of all ACC F-15 A through D model aircraft until further notice. The decision follows additional information received from the ongoing investigation of the Nov. 2 F-15C mishap that resulted in the loss of that aircraft. Gen. John

  • NCO retraining program involuntary phase begins

    Airmen identified as required to retrain must submit a retraining request by Dec. 17 or separate from the Air Force under Phase II of the Air Force Fiscal 2008 Noncommissioned Officer Retraining Program. After meeting the Dec. 17 deadline, Phase II eligibles next must choose an Air Force specialty

  • Comm Airmen get tower-certified

    A team of Airmen making a stop here to do checks on the latest radio communications on the battlefield took time out to give some Airmen valuable qualification training. A team from the Combined Air and Space Operations Center came here to perform preventive maintenance on the Radio-over-Internet

  • USAFE answers call of wounded warriors

    U.S. Air Forces in Europe officials made a recent donation of two, four-story buildings, and the buildings have saved hours on the road for wounded U.S. forces. The former Air Force hotels, transformed by $2.5 million renovations, provide convenient lodging for 190 to 200 wounded warriors on the

  • Survivor assistance program manager receives new A1 award

    He provided around-the-clock assistance to more than 200 families who suffered the loss of an active-duty member, mentored 25 Airmen seriously injured or wounded in action, and was appointed by the secretary of Defense to serve on the Independent Review Group at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

  • Air Force civilians essential to mission; furloughs last resort

    With the Army announcing possibly civilian layoffs this month, Air Force leaders want civilian Air Force members to know they are monitoring the situation closely. "The Air Force does not view the possibility of civilian workforce furlough as an imminent issue," said Air Force officials. "While the

  • DOD presents disability awards

    The undersecretary of Defense for personnel and readiness hosted the 27th Defense Department Disability Awards Ceremony and 20th DOD Disability Forum Dec. 4 in Bethesda, Md. Undersecretary David S. C. Chu, on behalf of the secretary of Defense, presented awards to 16 outstanding DOD employees with

  • Reserve commander delivers holiday message to Airmen

    The Air Force's top reservist offered a holiday message of thanks to deployed Airmen for their service during a Dec. 3 visit to Bagram Air Base. Lt. Gen. John A. Bradley, commander of the Air Force Reserve Command, spoke with scores of 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Airmen during his daylong visit

  • Dec. 4 airpower summary: C-130s fleet workhorse

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations Dec. 4, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a Royal Air Force Harrier GR-9 targeted an enemy

  • Air Force engineers improve Marine quality of life in Iraq

    Airmen are improving the lives and operating conditions of Marines by constructing more than $9.8 million in aircraft shelters, taxiways and temporary shelters at Al Asad Air Base. Deployed in an "in-lieu-of" tasking in support of the 20th Army Engineer Brigade, 557th Expeditionary REDHORSE

  • Airman's Roll Call highlights stress during holidays

    This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on stress from family responsibilities, expectations, and meeting end-of-the-year deadlines during the holiday season. The Air Force has several resources to help Airmen and their families cope with stress, depression and financial woes. Some of these services

  • PERSCO teams do more than track 'boots on the ground'

    Every commander needs to know who is in the field and how those numbers affect Air Force readiness -- in short, how many "boots are on the ground." Each Personnel Support for Contingency Operations team's mission is to maintain deployed accountability and casualty reporting for all deployed Airman

  • Leaders review programs, processes that take care of Airmen

    A cross-functional team of senior Air Force leaders is reviewing programs and processes essential to the health and welfare of Airmen using Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century problem-solving tools. One of the 10 AFSO 21 key processes, "Caring for People," was chartered to take on

  • Nellis to save $1 million annually with use of solar panels

    Officials from Nellis Air Force Base and SunPower Corp. are scheduled to finalize the commission of 15 megawatts in solar power to the base this month, making up North America's largest solar photovoltaic power system. When complete, the solar power will save the base $1 million annually. The switch

  • Immobility, injury place thousands at risk

    A difficult-to-detect ailment kills 200,000 people in the U.S. each year -- more than AIDS and breast cancer combined, according to Tricare officials.Yet few have heard of Deep Vein Thrombosis. DVT has been dubbed the "economy class syndrome" because of its association with long flights in cramped

  • Dec. 3 airpower summary: B-1B bombs enemy in Afghanistan

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 3, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-12s

  • Misawa team forges international friendships on the field

    Bitter temperatures, rain and snow couldn't stop die-hard hard soccer players from coming out to play a game with local Japanese teams as part of a friendship tournament held between Misawa United and two Japanese teams from an off-base league here in November. Misawa United is a team comprised of

  • Operation Deep Freeze main season underway

    Active duty, Guard and Reserve Airmen from McChord Air Force Base, Wash., and the New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing, combined efforts to support the 13th Air Force-led Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica, Operation Deep Freeze. The main season, which opened Sept. 28, is the

  • Technology conference powers down

    More than 500 exhibitors set up various displays to show off their cutting-edge technology to American military members the last week of November at the Interservice Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference at the Orange County Convention Center here.The latest in simulation and

  • Christmas radio program arrives just in time for holidays

    More than 3,300 country music radio stations nationwide will get a present in the mail this week, courtesy of the Air Force. This year's "Red, White, and Air Force Blue Christmas" radio program CD, featuring multiple Grammy Award-winning recording artist LeAnn Rimes, is not commercially available.

  • Communications network continues to evolve

    Two years after its standup, the Radio-over-Internet Protocol Routed network, or RIPRnet, has a very different mission and much greater reach than originally planned. The RIPRnet is a key communications network for both ground convoys and air operations throughout Iraq, consisting of 15 core sites

  • An Afghan education built from the ground up

    Coalition mentors stationed in northern Afghanistan continue to take interest in the country's future by investing time and money in the "younger generation." An embedded training team assigned to Afghan Regional Security Integration Command - North has partnered with members of the Afghan National

  • Reserve commander delivers cheer to Afghans

    The frigid Afghanistan winter was made a little less harsh for Afghan villagers near here, thanks to thousands of pounds of humanitarian relief supplies delivered by a visiting Air Force leader. Lt. Gen. John Bradley, commander of Air Force Reserve Command, arrived here Dec. 2 with more than 25,000

  • Officials name 2007 Mission Support Award winners

    Air Force officials announced the winners of the 2007 Mission Support Awards Nov. 30. The results are: Personnel Gen. Robert J. Dixon Award:  Brian K. Hunter, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas Roger M. Blanchard Memorial Award:  John Beckett, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, Pentagon Gen. Horace M. Wade

  • Kunsan firefighters assist local fire department

    Firefighters from the 8th Civil Engineer Squadron assisted local fire departments in response to an industrial fire in Gunsan City here Dec. 3. At approximately 9 a.m. the Kunsan Air Base fire department received a call and quickly dispatched 11 personnel and two fire trucks to help local Gunsan

  • Tricare coverage guaranteed for beneficiaries

    Tricare Management Activity wants to reassure its beneficiaries that none of them are at risk of losing their Tricare coverage, regardless of the cost of their care or other conditions that might affect commercial insurance policies. "I want to remind our beneficiaries that Tricare is an entitlement

  • Santa brings holiday cheer to Arnold party

    Santa took a break from making his list and checking it twice to attend a children's Christmas party Dec. 2 at Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn. Instead of arriving by the power of nine reindeer, Santa made his grand entrance in a 150-horsepower specially-outfitted 1967 Cessna float plane. More than 500

  • Virtual spouse support group holds conference at Fort Bragg

    Anticipatory grief, reintegration and relocation are terms that often resonate with military spouses. As servicemembers are fighting on the front lines, spouses at home are forming the support networks that are keeping families strong. This sacrifice and shared understanding was the focus of the

  • Leaflets urge Iraqis to help capture insurgents

    More than one million leaflets were pushed out of a 40th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron C-130 Hercules over ten designated drop zones urging local citizens to provide information on three top leaders of an armed insurgent militia in Iraq. The leaflets are the wanted posters of the region and were

  • Dec. 2 airpower summary: F-16s support ground troops

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 2, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle dropped guided bomb

  • 'Today's Air Force' features emergency response

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the cooperation of military and civil authorities during an emergency response.  Also featured is Operation Deep Freeze, an annual mission to support the National Science Foundation in Antarctica. Finally, visit with a remarkable lady from

  • Dec. 1 airpower summary: F-15Es engage enemy combatants

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 1, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle employed a guided

  • Nov. 30 airpower summary: B-1Bs provide overwatch

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 30, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles employed guided bomb

  • 50th anniversary of Air Force mission remembered

    On Nov. 27, 1957, at 6:59 a.m., six USAF pilots took off from Los Angeles and began what would be called Operation Sun Run. On that day, three new transcontinental speed records were established, and the speed and range of the McDonnell RF-101C was showcased. Years later, this mission would be

  • General focuses on mission, future of AWACS

    The E-3 Sentry airborne early warning and control system aircraft and its crews have led the way into battle many times in the past and are achieving combat excellence today, the commander of the nation's only AWACS flying wing said Nov. 27. The focus now, however, is on the future, Brig. Gen. Lori

  • 'Mind of Mencia' entertains troops in Middle East

    American servicemembers were treated to a United Service Organizations show where they were exposed to the "Mind of Mencia" Nov. 28 in Southwest Asia. Comedians Carlos Mencia, who stars in the Comedy Central show "Mind of Mencia," and Brad Williams entertained more than 600 servicemembers with two

  • Marines to participate in Kadena readiness exercise

    The Marines have landed. Personnel from Marine Aircraft Group 12 based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, will be major participants in Kadena Air Base's local operational readiness exercise next week. Approximately 600 MAG-12 Marines and 32 F/A-18 Hornets began arriving at Kadena Nov. 28

  • Pilots missing from Vietnam war identified

    Officials from the Department of Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office announced Nov. 30 that the remains of two U.S. servicemembers missing from the Vietnam War have been identified. They are Maj. Robert F. Woods of Salt Lake City and Capt. Johnnie C. Cornelius of Maricopa County,

  • Military must understand, master change, JCS chief says

    The U.S. military needs to understand change and the pace of change if it will succeed in the future, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told students at the Army War College recently."Some of the change is happening so quickly we have no idea how (it) will end up," Adm. Michael G. Mullen

  • Football: Cadet named third-team All-American

    The U.S. Air Force Academy z-back football player was named to the third-team All-America team as a specialist Nov. 29 by Rivals.com. Senior Chad Hall is the first Air Force player to be named to an All-American team since offensive lineman Brett Huyser was named fourth-team All-America by The

  • Nov. 29 airpower summary: Commando Solo

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 29, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles conducted an air

  • Testing center opens at Camp Bucca

    Air Force security forces members here will now be able to redeploy home with their career development courses completed as base officials opened a new testing center.With many Airmen arriving for duty in the middle of upgrade training, Air Force leadership at Camp Bucca decided a testing center was

  • AFIT cyber warriors win digital forensics challenge

    A team of four computer science and cyber operations graduate students from the Air Force Institute of Technology combined their cyber skills and interest in digital forensics to win the Grand Champion trophy at the annual DOD Cyber Crime Center Challenge, known as the DC3 Challenge, recently.This

  • Conference makes virtual training a reality

    The special weapons and tactics team quickly moves through the terrorist camp to the front of a safe house while forces from air and sea take out the rest of the camp. With precise and quick tactics, the team proceeds though the house, takes out the remaining terrorists, secures the hostage, and

  • DOD, VA begin disability evaluation program

    The Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs recently implemented a test program for disability cases originating at the three major military treatment facilities and the VA hospital in the national capital region. The leadership of DOD and VA will review the program's progress over

  • CSAF's Scope highlights Brig. Gen. Paul W. Tibbets Jr.

    The CSAF's Scope focuses on current topics the Air Force chief of staff feels are of special importance to today's Airmen. Among Gen. T. Michael Moseley's top issues is the recent death of Brig. Gen. Paul W. Tibbets Jr., the pilot of the famous Enola Gay. "We all know General Tibbets as the pilot of

  • Tricare beneficiaries save with mail-order pharmacy

    Nearly 20,000 Tricare beneficiaries are saving money on their prescriptions after making the switch to mail order through the new member choice center. After only two months of operation, beneficiaries saved approximately $600,000 on prescriptions by switching from retail to the Tricare Mail Order

  • White Hawk soars, becomes Air Force warrior

    During the month of November we take time to recognize the contributions made by Native Americans to our nation's defense. Less than one percent of Airmen claim to be of Native American ancestry. Senior Airman Shiloh White Hawk, who is deployed here from the 1st Logistics Readiness Squadron, Langley

  • Nov. 28 airpower summary: B-1B supports OIF, OEF

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 28, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs targeted enemy combatants

  • American servicemembers mentor Afghan maintainers

    American servicemembers are mentoring the Afghan national army's 205th Maintenance Corps to keeping its fleet of more than 1,300 vehicles operational at Forward Operating Base Hero in Afghanistan. Capt. Eric McGreevy and Army Staff Sgt. Mark Reynolds of the U.S. maintenance mentoring team here train

  • F-22 endures 3-week, cold-weather test at Eielson

    An F-22 Raptor came here for three weeks in November to test the aircraft's braking system on ice in time for the first snow at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, home to several F-22s since August. "We were validating the F-22 braking system's stability and performance as well as evaluating

  • F-16 destroys house filled with explosives in Iraq

    An F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot launched a bomb to destroy a house-borne improvised explosive device Nov. 25 near Maderiyah in Iraq. Soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division were conducting a foot patrol in the area when they found an abandoned house with copper wires extending out of a window,

  • Air Force MQ-1 crashes in Iraq

    An Air Force MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle crashed Nov. 29 at approximately 11 a.m. local time. The crash site was in an unpopulated area. The aircraft is a medium-altitude long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft. The MQ-1's primary mission is conducting armed reconnaissance. A board will

  • New log-in notice to clarify computer use issues

    Defense Department employees soon will see a new notice on their government computer screens informing them that their e-mails are subject to monitoring and that use of the computer means they recognize and consent to that monitoring. The revised language will appear throughout the department within

  • Air Force trainers involved in mid-air collision

    Two Columbus Air Force Base T-6 Texan II primary trainers collided about 12:47 p.m. Nov. 28 near the Columbus AFB Auxiliary airfield in Shuqualak, Miss. At the time of the accident, the aircraft were conducting initial flight training operations. On-scene emergency response has located and confirmed

  • F-15 A-D models ordered to stand down for additional inspections

    For the second time this month, the commander of Air Combat Command has directed a fleet-wide inspection of all ACC F-15 A through D model aircraft. The directive follows Nov. 27 findings stemming from the investigation of an F-15C mishap that resulted in the loss of that aircraft on Nov. 2 . Based

  • Football: Falcons Armed Forces Bowl bound

    The U.S. Air Force Academy football team on Nov. 26 accepted an invitation to play in the fifth annual Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl to be held Dec. 31 in Fort Worth, Texas. The agreement was made during a teleconference call involving Dr. Hans Mueh, the Academy athletic director, Tom Starr, the

  • Air Force firefighters teach Iraqis blaze fighting basics

    Seven local Iraqi firefighters shared a momentous occasion as they graduated from the Ali Base basic firefighter skills course. The 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron fire and emergency services flight firefighters put on a six-day training course to train Iraqi firemen of varying

  • AFSOC welcomes new commander

    Air Force Special Operations Command ushered in a new commander Nov. 27 in Freedom Hangar at Hurlburt Field, Fla. Lt. Gen. Donnie Wurster assumed command of AFSOC from Lt. Gen. Mike Wooley, during a ceremony presided over by Gen. Duncan McNabb, Air Force vice chief of staff. "It's with the deepest

  • F-4C Phantom dedicated to fallen Airmen

    After visiting Iraq, Afghanistan and Walter Reed Army Hospital, Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne was compelled by the overwhelming attitude of the military ethic of "standing watch so others may be free," in today's servicemen. He faced a similar emotion today when a Vietnam era F-4C

  • Air Force accepting physician assistant applications

    Air Force officials are taking applications from active-duty enlisted Airmen for Physician Assistant Phase I training classes beginning January, April and August 2009. Completed applications must arrive at HQ AFPC/DPAMW, 550 C Street West, Suite 27, Randolph AFB TX 78150-4729 no later than Jan. 25.

  • Ministry support team visits troops in Tanzania

    A Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa ministry support team traveled to Tanzania to support the Civil Affairs Team 11, C Company, 486th Civil Affairs Battalion Nov. 19-23. Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Lawrence F. Keith, CJTF-HOA Religious Affairs deputy director, and Chaplains Department Senior Enlisted

  • Bagram Airmen launch 'care strikes' to spread cheer

    For the last two months, a group of Airmen have been conducting what some are calling "care strikes," to enhance morale among servicemembers here. Capt. Ken Valardi, the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Chaplain and his assistant, Staff Sgt. Aaron Smith, began the project in September with the delivery

  • Secretary sees first afterburning engine test with synthetic fuel

    The secretary of the Air Force viewed the first ground testing of the General Electric F101 engine using a 50-50 mix of Fischer-Tropsch and JP-8 jet fuels Nov. 27 at Arnold Air Force Base. Secretary Michael W. Wynne witnessed the first series to qualify a high-performance, afterburning engine with

  • Airman's Roll Call highlights ABU updates

    This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on the airman battle uniform and meeting the needs of today's readily deployable Airmen. While the ABU becomes mandatory in November 2011, Airmen who deploy, as well as those in basic military training are being issued the new uniform now. As ABU supplies

  • Aircraft dedicated to Purple Heart recipients

    One of the Air Force's most modern cargo aircraft was named after the nation's oldest military decoration Nov. 20 in a ceremony attended by Medal of Honor and Purple Heart medal recipients. The Mississippi Air National Guard's 172nd Airlift Wing named one of its C-17 Globemaster IIIs "The Spirit of

  • AF leader discusses acquisition focus areas

    People in the Air Force acquisitions office are focusing on the workforce, product improvement and acquisitions processes, said Sue C. Payton, assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition. The acquisitions office is comprised of 24,183 people responsible for 127 major programs. They are

  • SECAF addresses logistics professionals on future missions

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne spoke about the future of Air Force logistics before a crowd of more than 1,300 officers and civilians at this year's annual Logistics Officer Association National Conference. "For some time now, I've been talking about a new way of war, and you all have

  • Forum exposes private industry to business opportunities

    More than 100 representatives from private industry joined Air Force representatives at the Enhanced Use Lease Program Industry Forum in Dallas, Nov. 8. The forum solicited feedback and highlighted potential EUL projects. Through the EUL program, officials lease underused military assets, including

  • Brothers reunite on first deployment

    The night before Thanksgiving, Staff Sgt. Malik Calhoun, 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, K-9 handler finished playing his last flag football game and hurried over to the phantom center just before midnight. There, a new team of Airmen who had just arrived were in-processing, and there

  • Airman missing in action from Vietnam War identified

    The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced Nov. 27 that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors.He is Capt. Stephen A. Rusch of Lambertville, N.J. He

  • Airmen support Bangladesh relief operations

    Pacific Air Forces Airmen arrived in Bangladesh Nov. 24 and have begun to provide relief in the wake of a tropical cyclone that struck the nation's southern coast Nov. 15, which caused thousands of casualties and significant damage. Elements of the 36th Contingency Response Group from Andersen Air

  • Aviation resource Airmen train for future success

    Known amongst each other as "one-charlies," Airmen in the Air Force's aviation resource management career field can get advanced training through a pair of courses in the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center's Mobility Operations School at Fort Dix, N.J. The Host Aviation Resource Management course,

  • Downrange Air Force convoy support center opens

    The cutting of a chain linking two tractor trailers marked the opening of the 586th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron's new convoy support center Nov. 24 in Southwest Asia. The new eight-tent center consolidates all of the Air Force convoy support functions here into one area and increases

  • Academy accepts bid to Armed Forces Bowl

    U.S. Air Force Academy officials have accepted a bid to play in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl on New Year's Eve at Fort Worth, Texas. The Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl, an ESPN regional television owned-and-operated event, will be aired at 11:30 a.m. CST on ESPN, live from Amon G. Carter

  • Officials accepting applications for PFE project support

    Air Force officials are accepting nomination packages until Dec. 14 to select subject matter experts for three performance fitness examination projects beginning in March 2008. Nominees must be a chief or senior master sergeant, or a senior master sergeant select with documented outstanding duty

  • Officials explain recoupment policy for wounded troops

    If you are wounded in combat and discharged as a result, you will not have to pay back your enlistment bonus, Defense Department officials said here Nov. 26. "Bonuses are not recouped simply for one's inability to complete an enlistment or re-enlistment agreement through no fault of the military

  • Mechanic-centric focus to improve aircraft availability

    By using Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century tools, a maintenance team here established a synchronized, integrated end-to-end maintenance process that does not impact mission requirements, increasing aircraft availability. The high velocity maintenance, or HVM, would require all of those

  • Airmen help establish Iraqi air force

    Camp Taji Airmen are helping rebuild the Iraqi air force.The camp, located approximately 20 miles northwest of Baghdad, is home to the 370th Expeditionary Training Squadron made up of officer and enlisted Airmen from various career fields who are training Iraqis in several technical training

  • Legislators visit Tinker AFB, learn about Air Force's mission

    A cross-section of state legislators from Arkansas, Kentucky and Oklahoma visited Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., in November as part of the National Council of State Government Officials conference. The group received a briefing of the organizations on base and their roles in supporting national

  • Alaska Guard conducts Operation Santa Claus

    Alaska National Guard members are bringing Christmas early to children in remote Alaskan villages, some whom might otherwise not get to see Santa Claus or receive a holiday gift. The Guardsmen from the 144th Airlift Squadron are slated to fly a C-130 Hercules from Kulis Air National Guard Base to

  • Airmen provide optometry care to deploying African troops

    Air Force optometry speicialists provided eye care to two battalions of African military members prior to the battalions leaving on a peace keeping mission in Somalia. The team, which saw 1,597 Burundi, Africa, military troops Nov. 6 to 15 at Gakumbu military base, Africa, consisted of team chief,

  • Spangdahlem bodybuilder makes professional debut

    A Spangdahlem Air Base Airman made his professional bodybuilding debut at the World Natural Bodybuilding Federation World Championship Nov. 10 in New York City."I went as a representative of the U.S. Air Force, but I also went along with the German team assisting their amateur athletes competing in

  • Airmen help Kyrgyz build homes, hope for the future

    Even the rain couldn't dampen the spirits of 20 local Kyrgyz families who received keys to their new homes Nov. 23 from Habitat for Humanity, and built with the help of Airmen here. Many of them, or their family members, had spent the last six months helping construct the four residential structures

  • Nov. 25 airpower summary: F-16s provide overwatch

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 25, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II performed a show of

  • First CMSAF earns Lifetime Achievement Award

    The first chief master sergeant of the Air Force announced he had learned the secret to winning awards to those in attendance at the Senior NCO Academy auditorium Nov. 20 here."The secret is simple  -- just live long enough," said retired Chief Paul Wesley Airey. "If you live long enough, (the

  • 'Today's Air Force' features F-15 operations

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the F-15 grounding and the diligent research to return it to flying status. Also featured, the Air Force Thunderbirds and the arduous schedule they have been performing for more than fifty years.  Finally, see how the service molds future

  • Operation Seasons Greetings brings holiday cheer to overseas Airmen

    What do you get when you cross a country music star, a latin pop sensation, a comedian and some cheerleaders? Ask Airmen here and they'll say a star-studded holiday tour called Operation Season's Greetings, which performed for the base's residents today. "It was cool," said Airman 1st Class Bryce

  • Nov. 24 airpower summary: A-10 Thunderbolts on target

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 24, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle conducted a show of force

  • Nov. 23 airpower summary: F-16 strike takes out terrorists

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 23, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs engaged multiple enemy

  • Academy cadet awarded Rhodes Scholarship

    A senior at the U.S. Air Force Academy recently was awarded one of 32 Rhodes Scholarships for 2008.Cadet 1st Class Hila Levy, from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, is a biology major with Cadet Squadron 9. First in her class, she is an accomplished linguist, minoring in Arabic, French and Spanish while fluent

  • Colorful F-16 represents 90 years of history

    An F-16C Fighting Falcon from the Texas Air National Guard's 111th Fighter Squadron is flying with a special paint job in honor of the squadron's 90th anniversary. All the colors and markings have specific meanings, reflecting the unit's nine-decade history. The rudder is painted like a JN-4 Jenny,

  • General honored for decades of service

    The current longest-serving person in the Air Force was inducted into the Air Force Enlisted Heritage Hall's Wall of Achievers during an enlisted academy graduation ceremony in downtown Montgomery recently. Maj. Gen. Thomas F. Deppe joins more than 140 individuals on the Wall of Achievers. Names

  • Nov. 22 airpower summary: F-16s support ground troops

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 22, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles targeted enemy

  • AMC commander discusses modernization, recapitalization issues

    Modernization of its aging fleet is one of the top priorities for Air Force leaders but it is complicated by program delays and budget limits, the commander of Air Mobility Command told members of the Logistics Officer Association in a speech here recently. The rising costs of modernizing the C-5

  • 'Dashboard' puts Guard, Reserve Airmen in driver's seat

    An enhancement to the virtual Personnel Center-Guard and Reserve, or vPC-GR, is scheduled to launch in December and will put Air National Guard and Reserve Airmen in the driver's seat of their personnel transactions. The new vPC-GR "dashboard" will streamline the way Airmen manage their vPC-GR

  • Entire F-15 fleet returning to flight

    Gen. John D.W. Corley, commander, Air Combat Command, sent a message Nov. 21 to F-15 pilots, weapons systems officers and maintenance professionals outlining the actions the Air Force has taken following the Nov. 2 F-15C Eagle mishap that resulted in the loss of the aircraft. The message reads: