HomeNews

NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • Military steps up battle against sexual assault

    Military officials are addressing the problem of sexual assault, but more needs to be done, officials acknowledged in testimony before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Feb. 24 here. Kaye Whitley, the chief of the Defense Department's sexual assault prevention and response office,

  • Military struggling with rising health-care costs

    Rising medical costs and the expansion of health benefits for retirees, guardsmen and reservists, and their families, are putting a strain on the military health-care system, Defense Department health and personnel officials told members of Congress on April 21.“Rising health-care costs are not

  • Military substance abuse research progresses, doctor says

    Defense Department officials are developing research-based methods to curb substance abuse among service members, their families and veterans, a senior DOD medical official said here March 11.Dr. Michael E. Kilpatrick -- the deputy director for force health protection and readiness programs in the

  • Military support group prepares for presidential inauguration

    A little-known group of Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen is preparing to provide behind-the-scenes military support for presidential inaugural activities, the organization's deputy commander said here Jan. 11.The Joint Task Force - Armed Forces Inaugural Committee provides all

  • Military takes top U.S. confidence rankings

    Americans continue to express high confidence in the armed forces, with more than three-quarters of those surveyed in a recent Gallup poll reporting higher confidence in the military than in other national institutions for the 14th consecutive year.Seventy-eight percent of the 1,020 respondents in

  • Military taking precautions as Hurricane Dennis approaches

    Hurricane Dennis is bearing down on the United States, and servicemembers -- like others in the path of this Category 4 storm -- are taking precautions. The storm, which is moving toward the Florida Keys, has sustained winds of more than 140 miles per hour and could strengthen, said officials at the

  • Military team to conduct humanitarian assistance in Oceania

    Approximately 50 Air Force, Army and Navy members will travel to the Pacific islands of Vanuatu, Kiribati and Nauru July 20 to 30 to provide medical, dental and engineering support and training to local residents there. This mission displays the Air Force's ability to quickly deliver relief in the

  • Military team works to treat, prevent deadly disease

    A tiny bug bite recently prompted a small child in Kenya to walk alone for eight hours and admit himself to a clinic specializing in parasitic diseases. Insect bites in that region can be life-threatening and are now affecting many U.S. servicemembers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Col. (Dr.)

  • Military to bring eye care to front lines with mobile app

    Eye injuries in a deployed setting can be a significant setback for any Airman, but new telemedicine capabilities are helping to keep them in the fight. With funding from the 59th Medical Wing, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, Air Force and Army medical researchers are developing a HIPAA-compliant

  • Military tradition to be evident in Ford funeral events

    Military tradition will be evident throughout the events associated with the Dec. 26 death of former President Gerald R. Ford, as the services join the nation in bidding farewell to their former commander in chief. Ford's three-stage state funeral will begin Dec. 29 with the former president's

  • Military training instructors transform recruits into Airmen

    Rising at 3 a.m. is a small sacrifice for military training instructors.  The future of the Air Force awaits.With uniforms in perfect order, they pull the immediately identifiable campaign hats low and straight, down their foreheads to nearly the eyebrows. With stern voices and stoic physical

  • Military Treatment Facility leadership conference stresses Trusted Care

    If medical error could be classified as a disease, it would rank as the third deadliest disease in America. A medical error is a mistake by a medical provider which results in harm to a patient. For example, misdiagnosis of a condition or administering the improper dosage of a medicine.

  • Military unites with Hollywood on 'Transformers'

    "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" hits theaters nationwide June 24 as the culmination of more than a year of Defense Department support, ranging from script and uniform notes to C-17 Globemaster III aerial maneuvers and jumps from the Army's Golden Knights parachute demonstration team. The first

  • Military Units in Southeast Prepare for Isaac's Impact

    Military units in the southeastern United States are preparing for Tropical Storm Isaac, which is barreling past the Florida Keys and may grow to a hurricane by the time it makes landfall on the northern Gulf coast sometime Tuesday.National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officials say Isaac

  • Military vehicle tips over on county road

    An enclosed missile transport vehicle, assigned to the 91st Missile Wing, en route to a launch facility tipped on its side on a gravel access road this morning between the towns of Makoti and Parshall. The vehicle, which carried an unarmed Minuteman III booster , tipped on its side at 8:20 a.m.

  • Military W-2s make it easier to determine tax credit eligibility

    The 2004 W-2 tax forms for servicemembers will now report pay earned while serving in a combat zone tax exclusion area. This information helps them determine their eligibility for the earned income tax credit and child tax credit.The combat pay information will be listed separately in Block 14 of

  • Military wives eligible for vocational scholarships

    Operation Homefront and the Women's Self Worth Foundation will offer the Saban Military Wife Educational Scholarship to wives of uniformed service members who attend certain vocational training programs in the medical field and meet eligibility requirements.Overall, 22 vocational training

  • Military working dog aerovaced after operation, hospitalization

    Staff Sgt. Tim Cox and military working dog, Ronny, have been partners for more than two years, so when the canine cop fell ill on the job recently, Sergeant Cox instantly recognized a problem.“He just had a complete change of attitude,” Sergeant Cox said. “He got very lethargic and wasn’t himself

  • Military working dog dies defending freedom

    When warriors deploy together to fight the war on terrorism, one doesn't imagine coming home without his partner, but a Robins Air Force Base NCO had to.Staff Sgt. Marcus Reaves, a military working dog handler in the 78th Security Forces Squadron's military working dog section here, was deployed to

  • Military working dog handlers come together for joint competition

    The 2012 Department of Defense Military Working Dog K-9 Trials kicked off here May 4 and will continue through May 6.The competition allows 43 teams from the Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps to demonstrate their handling skills with their canine partners.The competition was designed to

  • Military working dog hunts down aircrew

    Staff Sgt. Antonio Padilla, 336th Security Forces Squadron military working dog trainer, and Alf, 366th SFS military working dog, acting as opposition forces, hunt down pilots to enhance the combat readiness of both parties during a search and rescue operation as part of a Gunfighter Flag exercise

  • Military working dog revived by vet tech

    The dog lay on the table struggling to breathe in the throes of a severe heat stroke. Pako, 96th Security Forces Squadron military working dog, thrashed around wildly. His vital signs were fading fast. At one point, his pulse vanished. Pako’s heart stopped.

  • Military working dog sniffs out suspicious vehicle in Florida

    A four-legged 45th Security Forces member did his job correctly but caused quite a stir here July 8.While doing his daily sniffing around inbound trucks at the truck inspection area at the base’s south gate, Pancho, a 7-year-old military working dog, alerted his handler to a suspicious vehicle.

  • Military working dog teams fine-tune relationships

    It's a simple, age-old act of classical conditioning, the dog finds what the master desires and the dog is rewarded. In the case of Tommy, a three-year-old Belgian Malinoise assigned to Joint Task Force-Bravo Joint Security Forces here, the softball-sized round rubber toy is about all the reward he

  • Military working dogs defend 386th Air Expeditionary Wing

    These canines are truly an Airman's best friend, especially when it comes to saving lives.The military working dog section of the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron has the unique mission of safeguarding the base here with highly motivated K-9 partners. The dogs' powerful sense of smell is

  • Military working dogs help keep base safe, secure 24/7

    When military people are in trouble, they call the cops. When cops need help, they call the K-9 unit.Working dogs here provide explosive detection support and establish a force-protection presence that will halt or deter hostile action against coalition forces.“Our main mission here it to provide

  • Military working dogs, handlers train for mission success

    Author Corey Ford once wrote, “Properly trained, a man can be dog’s best friend.” For 12 highly trained servicemembers here, the military working dog, or MWD, is not only their friend but their trusted companion, loyal follower and No. 1 teammate. But, this team like so many others comes from lots

  • Military working dogs: More than man’s best friend

    Dogs are known as man’s best friend, but to Airmen and Soldiers here, military working dogs are considered a four-legged partner in the war against terrorism.Security forces Airmen and Soldiers, along with their military working dogs, have partnered together to provide force protection on this

  • Military works on all-digital targeting system

    The U.S. military is developing an advanced communications capability for tactical fighters that will tightly connect the sensors and cockpits of many aircraft.The 2-year-old Tactical Targeting Network Technologies program links tactical jet fighters' sophisticated sensors and avionics with

  • Military, civilian emergency communications tested

    A two-week national-level exercise involving local, state and federal government agencies is proving the capabilities of a system designed to provide effective communication and organization between different emergency responders. Being tested at Ardent Sentry/Northern Edge 2007, the Incident

  • Military, civilian firefighters work to save lives, assets

    When the call came in at 10:30 a.m. on Feb.24 that a B-2 Spirit had crashed on the flightline, 44 Andersen firefighters put emotions aside and relied on their extensive training to fight the fuel-intensified fire. The multi-functional bomber, sans munitions but completely full of jet fuel for a

  • Military, civilian leaders assess, plan relief ops

    Base leaders met with civilian representatives Jan. 17 to assess current operations and plan for further support in response to the 7.0-magnitude earthquake in Haiti Jan. 12.The tri-service installation has been a departure point for military personnel providing in-country support and transport of

  • Military, civilian medals approved for hurricane relief work

    Servicemembers and civilians who took part in Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita relief efforts may be eligible for a medal. The director of the Joint Staff has approved awarding the Humanitarian Service Medal and the Armed Forces Service Medal for U.S. military personnel. Department of Defense

  • Military, civilian medics join forces

    About 400 civilian and military medics joined together here recently for a high-level medical conference held by the Air National Guard’s medical service.The Readiness Frontiers Medical Conference explored, among other matters, the relationship between the civilian and military medical

  • Military, civilian W-2s available on myPay

    American military members and Department of Defense civilians can now view, save and print their W-2 wage and tax statements from myPay at https://mypay.dfas.mil.Military retirees and annuitants can view, save and print their tax form 1099s as well.The myPay service provides a secure way for

  • Military, civilians partner for vital disaster training

    In a unified effort to save lives and protect vital infrastructure facilities, Airmen, Soldiers and civilian first responders trained together May 9 as they responded to a mass casualty exercise scenario. The training event was part of Alaska Shield/Northern Edge, Alaska's portion of an annual

  • Military, Djiboutians communicate through discussion group

    Military members from Camp Lemonier have been bridging a communications gap with local Djibouti children during an English discussion group held at a school house. The group allows for two-way communications between the military and the local citizens. Senior Master Sgt. Edith Garcia, a coordinator

  • Military, families can get online mental health screening

    Military members and families coping with the stress of overseas deployments and other potential health-threatening issues can log onto the Internet to get help, said a U.S. military psychologist. Servicemembers from all components and their families can obtain a mental health self-assessment or

  • Military-connected schools benefit from grants

    Department of Defense Education Activity officials awarded more than $38 million in grants this year to public schools serving military children across the nation.Officials awarded the grants to 32 military-connected school districts to boost student achievement and ease the challenges associated

  • Military's top doctors discuss centers of excellence

    The military's top doctors were on Capitol Hill April 13 to give their assessment of the Defense Department's Medical Centers of Excellence, four hospital centers they say are on their way to becoming the best in the world for research and treatment.Dr. Charles L. Rice, assistant secretary of

  • Military's top officer stresses character, trust, faith to cadets

    It's not every day Airmen get the chance to ask the highest ranking officer in the U.S. Armed Forces just about anything -- including what concerns keep him up at night - but first- and second-class cadets were able to do just that when the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Martin E.

  • Miller nominated as next chief of Air Force Reserve

    President Barack Obama nominated Maj. Gen. Maryanne Miller for a third star and assignment as chief of Air Force Reserve and commander of the Air Force Reserve Command, replacing Lt. Gen. James F. Jackson.

  • Milling around

    Airman 1st Class Marshall Dixon manually mills a KC-135 Stratotanker brake component here March 3. This procedure is an integral part of the base's regional brake repair mission, which enhances the availability of brake assemblies within the European theater. Dixon is assigned to the 100th

  • Millwrights are jacks-of-all-trades

    Floyd Mixon loves his job. Why else would the 65-year-old millwright still get a twinkle in his eye whenever he and his co-workers describe their trade?“I love seeing big things move,” said Mr. Mixon, a 38-year millwright. “We can do almost anything.”A millwright is a mechanic who builds, sets up

  • MilPDS upgrade begins

    Editor's note: This one of a series of articles to inform total force Airmen about personnel programs affected by the Military Personnel Data System upgrade occurring in March.The Military Personnel Data System will be offline for 23 days, as of this morning, to allow the Air Force Personnel

  • MilPDS upgrade complete

    The Air Force has successfully upgraded and transferred the Military Personnel Data System to the Defense Information Systems Agency Defense Enterprise Computing Center, Air Force Personnel Center officials said March 25."We're pleased that the MilPDS upgrade took less time than anticipated, and we

  • MilPDS upgrade complete: Review emergency contact information

    If you married, have a new address or experienced significant life changes in March, you should review your emergency contact information to ensure it is accurate, Air Force Personnel Center officials advised.The Military Personnel Data System manages such military personnel and pay information as

  • Milwaukee C-130 crew earns flying award

    Six reservists earned the 2004 Air Force Association Outstanding Reserve Aircrew Award for safely landing their C-130 Hercules after it was damaged by enemy ground fire, officials announced July 13.Maj. Rolf Breen and his crew from Milwaukee's 440th Airlift Wing saved not only themselves and their

  • Milwaukee Reserve unit begins move to North Carolina

    The timeline for the permanent transfer of the 440th Airlift Wing to Pope Air Force Base, N.C., and the closure of General Mitchell International Airport Air Reserve Station has been released. The 440th AW will be a North Carolina Air Force Reserve unit by May 2007 and the Air Reserve Station will

  • '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

  • Mindfulness over matter

    At 10 a.m. on any given Wednesday, one could walk into the 305th Operations Support Squadron's leadership meeting and see a strange sight. Airmen sit around the conference room table and in chairs along the walls, variously clothed in a sea of green flight suits and Airman battle uniforms. Each has

  • Mindset: MxMADE

    The objective of the new program, MxMADE, is to provide a foundation for maintenance members to leverage their intellect and thirst for improvement to develop Airmen to improve mission capability and success.

  • 'Mini Herc' set to join Air Force fleet

    Air Force plans to include the C-27J Spartan, the latest propeller-driven airlifter planned for the Air Force inventory, are steadily progressing. In April, through Resource Management Decision 802, Defense Secretary Robert Gates moved the C-27J program and its related direct support mission from

  • Miniature decoy development begins

    Experts here are helping develop a miniature air-launched decoy that Air Force officials hope will entice enemy forces to prematurely disclose their air defense locations, keeping friendly pilots further out of harms way.Precision strike system program office experts awarded an $88 million,

  • Minihan updates Congress on mobility aircraft

    Air Mobility Command commander, U.S. Air Force deputy chief of staff for plans and programs, and U.S. Transportation Command director of strategic plans, policy and logistics, testified in front of the House Armed Services subcommittee on seapower and projection forces, July 23.

  • 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

  • Minneapolis youth ‘boldly goes’ to space camp

    Going to camp this summer has proven to be a memorable experience for one youth here.Carissa Ott, 15, is the daughter of Tech. Sgt. Greg Ott of the 27th Aerial Port Squadron at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Air Reserve Station, and his wife, Becky. “It was a great opportunity,” she

  • Minnesota ANG transports aid to Honduras through Denton Program

    The shipment was originally intended to support New Horizons, a U.S. Army South-led joint humanitarian exercise that would have taken place in southern Honduras, but was cancelled due to COVID-19, and items were redirected to support local hospitals throughout Honduras.

  • Minnesota guardsmen help secure skies above South Korea

    The Air National Guard is frequently called upon when U.S. Pacific Command needs additional assets to deliver rapid air capabilities in the Pacific region, and Airmen from the 148th Fighter Wing out of Duluth, Minnesota, are currently stepping up to that call.

  • Minot AFB awarded most reading minutes

    Minot Air Force Base was awarded first place for the 2014 Summer Reading Program, for the most minutes read, with more than 1.1 million minutes of reading time.

  • Minot AFB celebrates 50th anniversary

    Base officials here celebrated Jan. 10 Minot's 50th anniversary of becoming an official entity of the U.S. Air Force.Though the groundbreaking ceremony took place July 12, 1955, and the first unit, the 32nd Fighter Group, wasn't activated until Feb. 7, 1957, Jan. 10 holds just as much significance

  • Minot AFB officials work to improve Airmen resiliency

    Officials at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., will admit the northern-tier base poses several inherent challenges for the Airmen stationed there. Its high-tempo nuclear mission coupled with the base's isolated location and large population of young Airmen can test the resiliency of every member. Base

  • Minot AFB showcases readiness during CSAF, CMSAF visit

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright visited Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, May 14. The senior leaders saw how Minot AFB has remained mission-ready and resilient throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Minot Airman competes in Food Network Challenge

    The smell and taste of cookies hot from the oven for many evokes happy memories of childhood. For one Airman here, his fresh-baked cookies landed him on national television. Senior Airman David Sutherland, a 741st Missile Squadron chef, was selected by the Food Network and competed March 20 in

  • Minot Airman dies after incident

    An Airman assigned to the 5th Munitions Squadron here died Dec. 20 after an incident in an off-base apartment in Minot, N.D.The incident occurred at that residence at about 7:30 p.m., Dec. 20, according to Minot Police Department officials.The Airman was taken to Trinity Medical Center where he

  • Minot Airman killed in training incident

    A Minot Air Force Base Airman died April 29 in an accident during routine training here.Senior Airman Richard Gallelli, 22, from the 17th Munitions Squadron was struck in the head while at work and died of injuries soon after. "Our deepest condolences go out to the family and to the friends and

  • Minot Airmen affected by flood seek shelter

    Flooding caused by the springtime snow-melt, saturated ground and heavy rainfall led emergency management officials to evacuate more than 10,000 Minot residents, in areas near the Souris River in downtown Minot May 31, including more than 500 Airmen and families assigned here who live

  • Minot Airmen aid community affected by flood

    For the second time in a month, city officials have ordered citizens of Minot, N.D., including more than 950 Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen and their families, to evacuate downtown homes here.Minot Mayor Curt Zimbelman, said water levels are expected to reach the highest volumes ever in

  • Minot Airmen brace for flood

    Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen, Minot city officials, the National Guard and the Corps of Engineers prepare June 21, 2011, for potentially the worst flood in this city’s history. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. John D. Comer)

  • Minot Airmen continue North Dakota flood support

    Two Air Force helicopters relocated from the Bismarck, N.D., flood area to Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., March 27 in support of flood relief efforts along the Red River. Officials from the 91st Missile Wing from Minot AFB sent two hoist-equipped UH-1N Hueys from the 54th Helicopter Squadron to

  • Minot Airmen fly to where America's day begins

    Preparations for the deployment of Air Force Global Strike Command's 69th Bomb Squadron here are underway as they head to Guam, a first since the Vietnam War.The deployment is in support of U.S. Pacific Command's continuous bomber presence. An advanced team of approximately 30 Airmen departed Nov.

  • Minot Airmen help neighbors as flood water rises

    With the Souris River threatening to break the levies already in place, thousands of Minot citizens, including military members, their families and DOD civilians, have been forced to evacuate the area here June 1.Many have sought shelter with friends and families outside of the evacuation areas. For

  • Minot Airmen render aid to flood efforts

    Eight Airmen on two UH-1N Huey helicopters loaded with rescue equipment here deployed March 25 to support state authorities in flood efforts in Bismarck, N.D, after President Barack Obama declared the state a federal disaster area. An ice jam north of Bismarck broke, which sent flood waters from the

  • Minot Airmen return home from Andersen deployment

    Five months, more than 6,000 nautical miles and a 100-degree difference in temperature later, 110 Minot AFB Airmen returned home amid "welcome home" signs, balloons and excited children Jan. 30 from a deployment to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Six B-52 Stratofortresses and approximately 300 Airmen

  • Minot Airmen use AFSO 21 to save $1 million annually

    Members of the 5th Maintenance Squadron Aerospace Ground Equipment Flight here recently initiated an Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century process to increase the unit's effectiveness with a $325 investment that is expected to yield a return and more than $1 million annually. An increase

  • Minot B-52 aircrews refine, polish skills in Guam

    Capt. Jeremiah Baldwin, a B-52 Stratofortress pilot, said he could not wait to get out of the cockpit. He was tired, exhausted and just wanted to lie down and sleep after flying a 20-hour mission. “It’s one of the longest flights I’ve ever flown. It was great training, but it’s not something I

  • Minot B-52s begin Baltops 16 flying ops

    A B-52H Stratofortress aircrew from Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, conducted their first flying training mission in support of the multinational exercise Baltops 16 on June 7 from Royal Air Force Fairford.

  • Minot bomb wing commander relieved of duty

    The commander of the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., was relieved of command Oct. 30 due to loss of confidence in his ability to command. Col. Joel S. Westa was removed by Maj. Gen. Floyd L. Carpenter, commander of 8th Air Force. Colonel Westa assumed command in November 2007. Colonel

  • Minot completes Minuteman emergency communications upgrade

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

  • Minot event supports breast cancer research

    About 200 Airmen and family members gathered here to raise awareness of breast cancer during an event in support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month Oct. 24. The event, titled "Voices of Breast Cancer: Inspiring Hope, Supporting a Cure," included a health fair, lunch, the touching testimony of

  • Minot flood update

    The mayor of the city of Minot held a press conference here June 24 to provide important updates on the flooding situation, which currently is affecting some 11,000 residents and more than 1,000 Airmen and their families.According to a National Weather Service representative, the Souris River

  • Minot helicopter flight supports hurricane relief efforts

    Four 54th Helicopter Flight Airmen and one UH-1N Huey helicopter departed here early Sept. 2 en route to Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., to assist in the Hurricane Katrina disaster response.The crew, comprising two pilots, a flight engineer and a civilian maintenance crew chief, along with two

  • Minot missile wing commander relieved

    The commander of the 91st Missile Wing at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., was relieved of command Oct. 14 due to loss of confidence in his ability to command. Col. Christopher Ayres was removed by Maj. Gen. Roger W. Burg, the 20th Air Force commander. Colonel Ayres assumed command in May 2008. He was

  • Minot officer dies after fall

    A lieutenant colonel here died Sept. 18 at about 12:30 p.m. from injuries sustained in a fall earlier in the day.Lt. Col. David Patterson, 5th Maintenance Group deputy commander, fell from an obstacle at the base’s confidence course while participating in a team-building exercise.The colonel arrived

  • Minot officer under investigation for taking classified device

    An officer was charged with the theft of a classified item, and an Article 32 investigation hearing began Sept. 30 at Minot Air Force Base, N.D. Capt. Paul A. Borowiecki, a missile combat crewmember with the 91st Missile Wing at Minot AFB, is accused of stealing a classified missile launch control