'Today's Air Force' features deployed Airmen

This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights an Airman whose split-second decision saved lives and earned him a medal. Also featured is an air traffic control tower simulator that can be programmed to create emergencies and air traffic scenarios. The 30-minute, weekly news show can be seen

Scholarships for Military Children program begins

DeCA's 2008 Scholarships for Military Children program kicked off Nov. 1. Applications, available at commissaries worldwide and online through a link at www.commissaries.com and directly at www.militaryscholar.org, must be turned in to a commissary by close of business on Feb. 20, 2008. Applicants

Fallen OSI agents honored

A memorial service was held here Nov. 4 to honor the lives of three Air Force Office of Special Investigations agents who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of freedom. Airmen and Soldiers gathered to pay their respects and celebrate the lives of Master Sgt. Thomas A. Crowell, 36, of Neosho,

Pachyderm PCS: Elephant finds new home courtesy of Air Force

As the sun crested over the foothills of San Andreas, Calif., and the compound's gate opened, she knew she was home. Maggie, the Alaska Zoo's only elephant, arrived at the Performing Animal Welfare Society's ARK 2000 Wildlife Sanctuary Nov. 2, exiting her crate some 15 hours after leaving

New legislation affects Tricare supplements

Many Tricare beneficiaries are getting letters from their employer stating they will no longer offer Tricare supplements as an employer-sponsored medical option effective January 1, 2008. Tricare beneficiaries should look closely at their health care options. A provision of the John Warner National

Nov. 3 airpower summary: A-10s provide airpower

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 3, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fired on enemy combatants

Air Force suspends some F-15 operations

The Air Force suspended non-mission critical F-15 flight operations on Nov. 3 following the crash of a Missouri Air National Guard F-15C aircraft Nov. 2. The cause of that accident is still under investigation, however, preliminary findings indicate that a possible structural failure of the aircraft

Nov. 2 airpower summary: Strike Eagles support combat operations

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 2, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle performed a show of force

Air Force agents killed in the line of duty in Iraq

Special Agents Thomas Crowell, David Wieger and Nathan Schuldheiss from the Air Force Office of Special Investigations were killed Nov. 1 in the line of duty in Balad, Iraq. Defense officials announced the death of two Airmen and a Department of the Air Force civilian who were deployed in support of

AF leaders meet at CORONA Fall

Air Force senior leaders have just concluded the two-day CORONA Fall conference at the United States Air Force Academy. The goal of this CORONA summit was to ensure planning for tomorrow is not compromised by concentrating on today's fight. "Our current mission focus is waging and winning the long

Operation Maggie Migration: a mammoth mission

Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, and Travis AFB, Calif., took part in the transport of an unusual traveler Nov. 1 -- possibly their largest airlift passenger ever. Maggie the elephant arrived at Travis for a quick stop before being transported to her final destination at the Performing Animal

Airmen, Soldiers help establish military academy

Nearly, 2,000 young hopefuls descended upon the Afghan National Military Academy recently, all vying for the chance to be accepted into the academy and possibly study in the United States and Great Britain. A group of U.S. Airmen and Soldiers are currently working at the academy helping process the

Officials announce virtual enlisted promotion release

Beginning with the November 2007 chief master sergeant promotion announcement, Airmen will be able to access the results of their promotion consideration on their own from anywhere in the world. Through the new virtual enlisted promotion release system, promotion lists will be posted on the Air

'13-Fold' ceremony, other burial scripts approved

To ensure burial services at the 125 national cemeteries operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs reflect the wishes of veterans and their families, VA officials have clarified the department's policy about recitations made while the U.S. flag is folded at the gravesite of a veteran. "Honoring

Air Force falls to Brock University, 66-63, in exhibition men's basketball

Rohan Steed's three-pointer with one-tenth of a second remaining lifted the Brock University (Canada) men's basketball team to a 66-63 victory over Air Force in an exhibition game at the academy's Clune Arena Oct. 31. Steed took a pass from Brad Rootes in the left corner after Rootes drove the lane

Honor guard transitions to new funeral guidelines

Beginning Nov. 1, honor guard teams across the Air Force will support retiree funeral missions with seven members for standard funerals nationwide. While funerals at Arlington National Cemetery will continue to receive military honors supported by Air Force Honor Guard Airmen, funerals for retirees

Officials select civilians for strategic leader program

Air Force officials have selected 84 civilians for the Civilian Strategic Leader Program, formerly known as the GS-15 Leadership Development Program. "The CSLP is designed to help institutionalize the total force development," said Lt. Gen. Roger Brady, chief of manpower and personnel for the Air

Nov. 1 airpower summary: Airmen engineer success

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 1, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles conducted air strikes

Air Force's top financial manager visits Keesler for schoolhouse opening

John G. Vonglis, principal deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for financial management and comptroller, visited Keesler Oct. 29 for the unveiling of the new financial management officer schoolhouse here. The event marked the official opening of the newly-renovated schoolhouse facility and

Air Force energy group wins presidential award

Every year, the president recognizes outstanding teams of federal employees for their support, leadership and efforts in promoting and improving federal energy management. This year, the Air Force Senior Focus Group on Energy, a top-level leadership organization focused on energy programs for the

Deployed Airmen killed Nov. 1

Three Airmen were killed Nov. 1 while performing federal law enforcement functions near Balad Air Base, Iraq. All three were assigned to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations at Balad AB. The names of the Airmen are being withheld pending next-of-kin notification and release by the

Operation Maggie Migration flies elephant to California

The Air Force is flying Maggie, a 25-year-old African elephant, from the Alaska Zoo to her new home in California on a C-17 Globemaster III. Maggie will start her Air Force journey at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska and finish it at Travis AFB, Calif., on Nov. 1. Officials with the Alaska Zoo and

Air Force individuals, units win federal Energy and Water Management Award

A number of Air Force people, units and bases were honored here Oct. 31 with the 2007 Federal Energy and Water management award, presented by Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman. Those awarded came from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash.; Goodfellow AFB, Texas; Kirtland AFB, N.M.; Randolph AFB, Texas;

Global cyberspace center delivers 'Warfighter's Edge'

A two-year effort for the Air Force Global Cyberspace Integration Center and the U.S. Air Force Academy's Institute for Information Technology Applications culminated Oct. 31 when the Warfighter's Edge, or WEdge, was initially released to the field. WEdge, a base-level command and control tool

Enola Gay pilot, General Tibbets passes away

Retired Brig. Gen. Paul W. Tibbets Jr., the pilot of the first atomic bombing mission, died of natural causes Nov. 1 at the age of 92 in Columbus, Ohio.The general was the pilot of "the Enola Gay," the B-29 Superfortress which dropped the first atomic bomb, "Little Boy" on Hiroshima, Japan, on

Warriors for a day

More than 200 children received their official tasking and prepared for a mock deployment at Hangar 1here Oct. 24. The day-long deployment began with the young warriors in-processing and picking up their air and space expeditionary force cards, helmets and web belts. Immediately after suiting up,

Flight attendants provide world-class service

Presidents, generals and prime ministers count on the support from Airmen of the 89th Airlift Wing here who provide safe, comfortable and reliable transportation while keeping world leaders connected and protected on special air missions around the globe. Tech. Sgt. Pete Kana of the 1st Airlift

GPS set to launch on History Channel

Is GPS a modern marvel? A three-person film crew from Actuality Productions visited the base Oct. 30 to find out. The crew visited the 2nd Space Operations Squadron here and interviewed 2nd SOPS Commander Lt. Col. Kurt Kuntzelman for an upcoming episode of the History Channel's "Modern Marvels" TV

3rd Wing activates second F-22 squadron

The 3rd Wing at Elmendorf Air Force Base activated the 525th Fighter Squadron during a ceremony at the base Oct. 29. The second active-duty F-22 Raptor squadron took its place in wing history nearly three months after the aircraft officially landed on base. Lt. Col. Chuck Corcoran assumed command of

Researchers create family of composite materials

Scientists funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research have constructed an entirely new class of materials that potentially could aid Air Force missions. Dr. David Avnir, Head of the Institute of Chemistry at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel, led scientists to a surprising

USAFE security forces train at Creek Defender course

Oct. 31 airpower summary: A-10s support ground troops

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 31, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, a Royal Air Force GR-9 Harrier conducted a strike

Tinker unit designs new welding process for B-2

When the B-2 Spirit systems support manager here needed three spar caps refurbished for a spare right aft deck kit, he uncovered a larger problem. The aft deck panels on the stealth bomber were not originally designed to be replaced, so there were only a couple of spare right aft deck kits produced.

Defense, VA officials to coordinate on patient care

The departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs have partnered to put in place 10 federal recovery coordinators charged with managing the care of severely injured servicemembers and their families for as long as a lifetime. Officials from the two departments signed an agreement Oct. 31 outlining the

TF33 jet engine shop up and running at Tinker

The Air Force's lone TF33 Jet Engine Intermediate Maintenance shop here achieved full operational capability status in October. "This marks a shift of engine workload from field units to the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center, enabling the warfighter to focus more on expeditionary capabilities and

B-2s train with JTACs, drop bombs on target

The B-2 Spirit stealth bomber deployed here practiced weapons drops in the Pohakuloa Training Area, Hawaii Oct. 23 without using built in state of the art targeting system. This time, the fliers were conducting operations with joint terminal attack controllers on the ground to allow the specially

Airmen deliver donations to Rwandan orphanage

Coloring books, soccer balls and tennis shoes along with other donations were delivered by Airmen to an orphanage in Kigali, Rwanda, Oct. 27. The donations were delivered by Airmen from the 86th Contingency Response Group, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and C-17 Globemaster III aircrews from Charleston

Large crowd gathers for first air, space expo

An estimated 85,000 air and space enthusiasts attended the 2007 Holloman Air and Space Expo here Oct. 26 to 28. "This was the first ever live-fly air and space show in the nation," said Brig. Gen. David Goldfein, the 49th Fighter Wing commander. "It was the first time to bring together air and space

Battlefield Airmen train for JTAC role at Pohakuloa Training Area

Tactical air control party members from the 25th Air Support Operations Squadron practiced and honed their skills calling in air strikes for B-2 Spirit stealth bombers during a week long training session as part of Exercise Koa Lightning. These battlefield Airmen serve as joint terminal attack

CSAF presents Bronze Star to Royal Air Force exchange officer

The United States Air Force and the Royal Air Force have worked together frequently during the last ninety years. The 18th Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley reinforced the close bond between USAF and RAF Airmen when he presented the Bronze Star Medal to RAF Wing Commander Red Thompson

Mobility commander highlights AMC wartime successes, challenges

Air Mobility Command's Gen. Arthur Lichte underscored the command's wartime challenges, as he praised the accomplishments of mobility warriors, during the Airlift Tanker Association's 39th annual convention in Nashville, Tenn., Oct 25 to 28. General Lichte emphasized how the command's warfighting

Air Force women's symposium kicks off

The Air Force Women's Heritage to Horizons Training Symposium kicked off here Oct. 31with about 600 Airmen from around the globe in attendance. For the next three days, attendees will sit in on various forums and discussions, ranging in topics from professional development to women in combat. Guest

Ramstein Airmen join team in Iraq

Six takeoffs. Six landings. Twelve hours. All in a day's work for aircrew members of the 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron taking on the mission known as the "pain train." "It's called the pain train because there's just 30 minutes between each stop," said Capt. Robin Cadow, 737th EAS pilot. "At

Tactical airlift initiatives further Air Force's total force integration

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley announced four proposed initiatives Oct. 31 concerning C-130 Hercules tactical airlift, each of which furthers the service's vision for a seamless total force. The initiatives, which would impact communities in Tennessee, New York, Georgia and

Children of fallen troops honored at remembrance ceremonies

Ten children of servicemembers killed during the war on terrorism were honored for their sacrifices on behalf of the nation at ceremonies here and in Iraq Oct. 29. At the Russell Senate Office Building last evening, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen and Army Chief of

Airman's Roll Call highlights feedback and evaluation

This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on feedback and assessment of Airmen performance. With the introduction of new feedback and performance report forms, Air Force supervisors and rating officials have more viable tools to provide honest feedback and accurate assessments of the Airmen they lead.

Open season begins Nov. 12 for civilian benefits programs

Office of Personnel Management officials have announced an open season will be held Nov. 12 through Dec. 10 for three civilian benefit programs. The three programs are the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program, and the Federal Flexible

Kunsan Airmen strive for smarter ways to execute with less

Doing things smarter is something the 8th Fighter Wing is striving for, especially with the entire Air Force having to now accomplish the mission with less. With every commander's call and opportunity senior leaders have had to speak with the Airmen here, they are taking to heart Air Force Smart

CSI Honduras: JSF teaches crime scene processing to Honduran police

The joint security forces unit here hosted 70 local police officers and police academy students Oct. 24 and 26 for a course on crime scene processing. The course is one in a series of classes taught this year, with other lessons involving handcuff procedures, high-risk traffic stops and riot

A-10 pilot awarded Mackay Trophy

Capt. Scott Markle received the Clarence Mackay Trophy during a ceremony here Oct. 29 for his actions while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom last year. Captain Markle, an A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot from the 81st Fighter Squadron, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, directly engaged a

Academy officials name 2007 Distinguished Graduates

A four-time NBA championship winning coach and a former president of National Defense University were named the recipients of the Academy's 2007 Distinguished Graduate Award. The U.S. Air Force Academy and the Academy's Association of Graduates announced Oct. 30 that Gregg Popovich and retired Lt.

Air Force wins fourth consecutive Armed Forces Rugby Tournament

The Air Force rugby team pulled off a decisive 22-5 victory against the Army rugby team in the championship match of the 2007 Armed Forces Rugby Tournament Oct. 27 here. All five branches of service participated in the two-day tournament. The victory marked the fourth consecutive year of Air Force

Holiday greetings program producing more than 7,000 'Hi moms'

What began as a novel idea to give a handful of infantry soldiers in the Sinai a chance to say "hi" to family and friends back home during the holidays, has been transformed into a program that has thousands of servicemembers from around the globe appearing on TVs in virtually every state and

Oct. 29 airpower summary: F-16s deter enemy activity

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

AF anniversary concert airs nationwide Nov. 2

The mission of the U.S. Air Force Band often places its Airmen in the spotlight of large audiences. Starting in November, the band's concert in honor of the Air Force's 60th anniversary will play on public television from coast to coast. The band recently performed the concert at the The Music

Father pins Distinguished Flying Cross on son

A pilot from the 510th Fighter Squadron was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross here Oct. 29 for his aerial combat support of friendly forces in the vicinity of An Najaf, Iraq, while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. After returning from a local training mission over the Dolomite Mountains,

Hockey: Air Force earns split with 3-1 win at Bentley

The Air Force Academy scored one goal in each period for a 3-1 win over Bentley College in an Atlantic Hockey Association game Oct. 27, at the John A. Ryan Arena in Waltham, Mass. The two teams split the AHA series. The Academy improved to 3-1 overall and 1-1 in the AHA. Bentley fell to 1-5 overall

Air Force runners dominate Marine Corps Marathon

Air Force runners took home bragging rights from the Marine Corps Marathon this weekend, with both the men's and women's teams winning first place in the military services division. The top times from the top four male and top two female runners are added together. The Air Force marathoners

Falcons self destruct in 34-31 loss

It was easy to put a finger on why Air Force lost, 34-31, to New Mexico Oct. 25 in Mountain West Conference play at University Stadium in Albuquerque -- the Falcons couldn't keep their hands on the football. The bluesuiters lost a season-high five fumbles, three in the fourth quarter, which turned a

Industry, academic leaders pool brainpower to address IED threat

The head of the Defense Department's counter-improvised explosive device effort challenged some of the best minds in industry, academia, the national laboratories and the military to come up with better ways to thwart these deadly weapons. Retired Army Gen. Montgomery C. Meigs, director of the Joint

Global Hawk, U-2 capture essential wildfires images

Throughout the week Air Forces Northern tasked specialized aircraft to provide firefighting commanders and civil authorities with photos and video of Southern California wildfires. Among the aircraft were the RQ-4 Global Hawk Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and U-2 Dragon Lady from Beale Air Force Base,

'Perspective' focuses on family

In his latest "Enlisted Perspective," the Air Force's top enlisted Airman focuses on the Air Force family and National Military Family Month.  "Serving our nation takes desire, dedication and determination," Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley said. "Our families then go above and

AFMC helps return damaged B-1B to friendly environment

When a $283-million aircraft that's a segment of America's long-range bomber force loses one of its four engines - over the skies of Afghanistan - Airmen kick their fix-it instincts into high gear. Thanks to a unified effort led by Air Force Materiel Command, a maintenance team repaired a damaged

Officials offer programs for domestic violence awareness

While stress is not the sole cause, it can be a major contributor to domestic violence among Air Force members and their families, according to Air Force family advocacy experts. In 2006, there were 3,914 reports of domestic abuse involving Airmen as either the victim or offender. Of those, 50

Commander foresees Air Force mastery of cyberspace

Information technology is a two-edged sword the Air Force must wield more expertly than the nation's enemies, said the commander of Air Force Materiel Command during an Oct. 25 speech at the InfoTech Conference in Dayton, Ohio. Gen. Bruce Carlson discussed today's fight against terrorism, including

New safety plan to hit Fairchild

A new side of safety will be seen here in the coming days, months and years as the Voluntary Protection Program makes its debut. Fairchild will be the third base in Air Mobility Command to implement the program. The VPP is a program that is "designed to recognize outstanding safety and health

Firefighting aircrews face unique challenges

The military crews in the planes dropping fire retardant on wildfire flames in southern California face hazards and challenges unique to their humanitarian mission. First is the low altitude at which they fly and the sudden, violent updrafts and downdrafts caused by the heat of the fire. Factor in

Oct. 28 airpower summary: C-130s replenish ground forces

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 28, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a Royal Air Force GR-7 Harrier used rockets to attack

Randolph Airmen pay respects to fallen Soldier

Hundreds of Airmen, Air Force civilians, and their family members lined both sides of the main street here Oct. 26 to pay their respects to a Soldier killed in Iraq. U.S. Army Spc. Vincent A. Madero, 22, died Oct .17 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated

Anti-terrorism office helps Balad Airmen stay safe

With terrorists and extremists trying their hardest to shake the drive and fortitude of deployed Airmen, this two-man shop, by thinking like an adversary, turns a possible terrorist success story, into another notch in the belt of prevention. Such is the duty and responsibility of the 332nd Air

'Today's Air Force' features the A-10 Thunderbolt II

This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the A-10 Thunderbolt II; space and cyberspace, with a look at cell phone and network security; and Air Force medicine, featuring medical mentors and the C-17 Aeromedevac. The 30-minute, weekly news show can be seen every day on The Pentagon

Oct. 27 airpower summary: Reaper conducts first strike

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 27, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, the Air Force's newest unmanned aerial vehicle, the MQ-9

Oct. 26 airpower summary: Shows of force deter enemy

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 26, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles targeted enemy combatants

Vandenberg firefighters extend helping hand

Vandenberg Air Force Base firefighters answered the call for help in the Southern California area as more than 26 fires that have burned more than 1,800 homes and 550,000 acres in late October.  In a whirlwind of smoke, flame and ash, more than 1,800 homes and 550,000 acres have burned, but

Airmen continue fight on Southern California wildfires

Four specially equipped Modular Airborne Firefighting System C-130 Hercules aircraft joined the massive firefighting effort in Southern California Oct. 23 and continue to fly missions as weakening winds allowed an aerial assault on the state's destructive wildfires. Since Oct. 24, the Air National

Air Force, forest service team to fight California fires

More than 50 years ago, the Air Force and U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service teamed up to equip aircraft with the capability to fight large-scale fires -- a union that is yielding huge dividends in the battle against the raging wildfires that broke out in southern California earlier this

Wildfire command post stands up at March

The U.S. Army North Command set up an operational command post Oct. 24 here to provide command and control for all Department of Defense forces who are scheduled to arrive in the area to combat the southern California wildfires that have devastated the state. March Air Reserve Base has been

Airmen practice water rescue

Part of participating in a local operational readiness exercise is practicing skills and tactics that many hope they never have to use. Such was the case when a water survival and rescue exercise was conducted Oct. 24 by members of Kadena Air Base, Japan, off the coast of Okinawa as part of  local

Oct. 25 airpower summary: F-16s support coaliton forces

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 25, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an enemy cave located in Gardez was struck with guided

Air Force to fly elephant from Alaska to California

Air Force members will fly Maggie, a 25-year-old African elephant at the Alaska Zoo, on a C-17 Globemaster IIIs cargo aircraft to her new home in California Nov. 1. Maggie will fly from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, to Travis AFB, Calif., aboard the Alaskan-based C-17. Officials with the Alaska

Air Force moving hybrid battalion into Darfur

Air Force members are providing airlift support to the Rwandan military, moving United Nations armored personnel carriers, Rwandan soldiers, food, medicine and equipment in and out of the Darfur region Oct. 24.The Rwandan battalion is one of two working as the United Nations-African Union Hybrid

Beale Airmen, ISR assets support California wildfires

Members of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing are currently flying U-2 and Global Hawk surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft and collecting high-altitude imagery of the wildfires in Southern California in support of the U.S. Air Force Northern Command's mission there. A U-2 from Beale Air Force Base

C-17 flight uses synthetic fuel blend

A C-17 Globemaster III took off Oct. 22 on a flight using a blend of synthetic and JP-8 fuels in all four fuel tanks. This is the first time a C-17 has flown using a Fischer-Tropsch/JP-8 blend as the only fuel on board. Air Force members successfully flew a C-17 Oct. 19 with the Fischer-Tropsch/JP-8

CV-22 Osprey flies first search and recovery mission

A CV-22 Osprey assigned to the 58th Special Operations Wing here participated in the aircraft's first search and recovery mission, responding to the fatal crash of a medical aircraft in the mountains of southern Colorado. Airport officials lost contact with the Arizona-based Beechcraft King airplane

Manas medics participate in professional exchange

The Manas Air Base surgical team visited the Kyrgyz Republic national surgical center to donate training supplies and other usable items and see local doctors perform surgical cases Oct. 24. "We have excess supplies we gave them to use in training and some for their practices," said Maj. Karla

Airmen, Marines team up for Djibouti humanitarian mission

Smiles and laughter filled the air as Airmen and Marines provided live entertainment, toys and water to the residents of Nagad village Oct. 23 in Djibouti. Nagad was the site of a Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa civil affairs engagement, teaming Airmen of the U.S. Central Air Forces'

Supply Airmen help take fight to enemy

Keeping aircraft flying and war fighters supplied in Afghanistan is a challenging job, but one done by Airmen of the 455th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron supply flight here. An estimated $50 million in equipment and supplies, everything from aircraft weapon system parts to office

Air Force leaders testify on strategic, budget initiatives

People, equipment and money were the main topics Oct. 24 when the secretary of the Air Force and the chief of staff testified before the House Armed Services Committee. Secretary Michael W. Wynne and Gen. T. Michael Moseley answered questions from the committee about warfighting resources required

First lady meets Airmen in Southwest Asia

First lady Laura Bush met more than 40 Airmen from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, U.S. Embassy employees and their families Oct. 22 in Southwest Asia. The first lady talked to them about her tour to the region and her interaction with women from the host nation during her tour of the Persian Gulf

Oct. 24 airpower summary: Supplying the warfighter

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 24, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles struck an enemy fighting

Altus supports California firefighting

A C-17 Globemaster III crew from the 97th Air Mobility Wing here mobilized Oct. 24 to airlift firefighting equipment and personnel to California in support of ongoing efforts to control the wildfires there. "We flew to San Antonio to pick up (Army) Maj. Gen. Thomas Matthews, commander of Operations

Buddy Wing Program teams up U.S., Korean Airmen

Pilots and maintainers from the 80th Fighter Squadron participated in a Buddy Wing Program exercise Oct. 23 to 25 at Jungwon Air Base, South Korea. The Buddy Wing program is a way for U.S. Air Force and South Korea air force members to develop teamwork, exchange ideas and improve tactics. "It's very

Hill volunteers recover long-missing Phantom

An Air Force recovery team scaled a mountain peak just shy of 9,000 feet on the Utah-Nevada border Oct. 17  to recover pieces of an F-4 Phantom. The aricraft crashed into the Deep Creek Mountains on the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Indian Reservation nearly 30 years ago. The crash claimed the

Mobile surgical team trains under cover of darkness

In the middle of a seemingly deserted field shrouded in darkness, a once vacant spot of grass became home to a fully functioning operating room Oct. 18 here. Under the cover of night, using little more than flashlights and carefully coordinated teamwork, Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element's

Service demographics offer snapshot of force

The Air Force Personnel Center here recently published its demographics report offering a snapshot of the service's active-duty and civilian force, as of Sept. 30. More information can be found at the center's analysis branch website: http://wwa.afpc.randolph.af.mil/demographics/. Statistics are

Space Command welcomes new leader

"Space capabilities have shaped the American way of warfare in the 21st century, just like airpower did in the 20th," said Gen. C. Robert "Bob" Kehler as he assumed command of Air Force Space Command in a ceremony here Oct. 24 presided over by Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Duncan J. McNabb.

Kabul Airman brings gifts, smiles to local children

Thanks to the efforts of an Airman deployed to Kabul International Airport and supporters back in the United States, 47 local youth soccer players are now a little better equipped.Master Sgt. William Whitt, a fuels mentor with the Air Corps Advisors Group here, worked with his wife, Lea-Ellen Whitt,

Air Force Reserve unit deploys to fight California fires

Two Air Force Reserve Command firefighting C-130 Hercules aircraft left Oct. 23 to help battle the raging wildfires in Southern California. The National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, requested Department of Defense assistance in fighting the fires which put the wheels in motion for the

AFNORTH deploys air coordination team to California

Air Forces Northern officials are deploying an air component coordination element to support firefighting operations in Southern California. The air component coordination element, or ACCE, is an Air Force team designed to perform the command and control function for Air Force assets supporting the

Airmen help Afghans stand up flight medicine clinic

Like many Airmen around the world, Maj. Mical Kupke's day starts with a brief meeting to plan out the day's events. But that's where the similarity ends. The flight surgeon and her team's day involves mentoring members of the Afghan national army air corps in the field of flight medicine and