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  • Charter Chief chats about change

    When Chief Master Sgt. Jim Flaschenriem was promoted to the Air Force’s highest enlisted grade Dec. 1, 1959, there was no tradition to the event. As one of the first to be promoted to that rank, he said it "wasn't very exciting."When the first chiefs were made, most of us who were promoted had

  • Scientists find better solvent for cleaning oxygen lines

    Air Force Research Laboratory scientists and engineers recently teamed with Aeronautical Systems Center experts here to identify a suitable replacement for Freon, a solvent that was banned for ozone depleting tendencies.Experts from AFRL's materials and manufacturing directorate nonmetallic

  • ‘Win the Peace’ coalition delivers hope for future

    More than 200 students at a school outside Nasiriya, Iraq, received a surprise delivery of school supplies donated by “Win the Peace.” WTP is an unofficial, organization made up of Airmen with the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing at a forward-deployed location. The group raised funds for the shipment

  • Airlifters haul forces to Haiti

    On Feb. 29, President George W. Bush ordered U.S. Marines into the Republic of Haiti as the leading element of a multinational peacekeeping force sanctioned by the United Nations.Air Mobility Command aircraft were tapped to bring up to 2,000 Marines into Haiti's capital of Port-au-Prince, with 18th

  • Some personnel services become Web-only

    Starting March 15, Airmen will no longer have to stand in line to accomplish a personnel records review or several other common tasks.To make it easier for personnel customers, six different personnel services are now available only on the Web. Military personnel flight workers will point customers

  • Airmen return from deep freeze

    The last C-141 Starlifter from the 445th Airlift Wing returned March 4 from Christchurch, New Zealand, after completing its role in Operation Deep Freeze.Operation Deep Freeze flights support the National Science Foundation, which operates scientific stations in Antarctica to explore the origins of

  • Small unit takes on big test

    The responsibility for testing the airworthiness of modified KC-135 Stratotankers rests with a small unit here.The 23-person 313th Flight Test Flight, an Air Force Reserve Command unit, is certifying the Stratotankers, following programmed depot maintenance and a new avionics upgrade.“We accomplish

  • Moseley: Airmen doing tremendous work

    During operations in Iraq, the Air Force experienced some of the highest mission-capable rates in recent history, said the service’s vice chief of staff.Gen. T. Michael Moseley spoke before a Senate Armed Service Committee subcommittee on readiness and management support March 9, directly crediting

  • Civilians will see pay increase soon

    Air Force civilian employees soon will see extra money in their paychecks. An executive order was signed by the president March 3 authorizing a pay adjustment retroactive to Jan. 11.Air Force Personnel Center officials here will begin loading new pay tables into the system beginning March 11. But

  • Roche requests Army nomination be withdrawn

    Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche is no longer in the running for the vacant secretary of the Army job.Secretary Roche requested March 10 that Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld withdraw the nomination. President George W. Bush nominated Secretary Roche for secretary of the Army on

  • Airmen deliver radio communications to servicemembers

    What do you get when you take the rim of an old tire, bolt wood into the lug nut openings, and secure an 11-foot fence pole to it? After attaching an 8-foot rod to the top of the pole, the answer is a ground-radio antenna that makes the communication needs of security detail Soldiers here.And what

  • Airmen learn convoy skills

    The grizzled, old retired Army instructor imparted combat wisdom to his students, as if he were reading directly from the combat bible. The most important thing he wanted them to take away from the training was when they drive into combat areas, they better look like death coming down the road. A

  • Kirstie Alley ‘cheers’ for McConnell

    Golden Globe-winning actress Kirstie Alley crossed into the blue March 8 during her “wild ride” here.She returned to her hometown of Wichita to raise money for the 1922 Orpheum Theatre with her show “Kirstie Alley’s Wild Ride” and wanted to visit one of the first places she worked -- McConnell.

  • Air Force begins full-scale assault assessment

    Allegations of sexual misconduct at the Air Force Academy and Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, have prompted the Air Staff to direct an Air Force-wide review of its policies, procedures and victim programs.Officials at each Air Force major command have formed sexual-assault integrated-process teams

  • Stress levels high among servicemembers

    Military deployments and other activities that keep servicemembers away from home are upping stress levels among people in uniform, a new Defense Department survey reveals.The 2002 Survey of Health Related Behaviors Among Military Personnel, released March 8, showed that about one-third of the

  • Security forces get more boots on the ground

    Security forces Airmen will see 495 new civilians added to their ranks between July and October. Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James Roche directed the positions be added at the squadron level to free more Airmen for duties at home station and on deployments.Officials expect many of the new

  • Medicine man trains for sled-dog race

    A total of 16 barking dogs strain against their harnesses. The sled behind them is anchored into the snow to prevent the Alaskan huskies, each between 40 and 70 pounds, from pulling it across the starting line too soon. Volunteer dog handlers are busy adjusting harnesses, untangling lines and

  • DFAS to process retroactive civilian-pay increase

    Defense Finance and Accounting Service officials will soon begin processing the 2.1-percent retroactive pay increase for the federal civilian employees they serve. President George W. Bush signed an executive order March 3 identifying the new pay-increase percentages. The updates will be processed

  • Former Airman oversees U.S. cemetery in Manila

    Dan Neese gets strange looks when he invites people for dinner and gives them his address. It is not because he is some kind of a weird character, but living inside a cemetery is something most people do not normally brag about.Mr. Neese resides at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial here.

  • Tyndall operates newest engine test controller

    Revving an engine and tweaking a motor until it purrs is an art the “hush-house” team here has perfected and taken to the next level with the arrival of the F/A-22 Raptor.A process once involving intense troubleshooting can now be accomplished more efficiently thanks to a new engine-test controller

  • Korea vets recognized with medal

    A new defense medal will be issued to servicemembers who served in South Korea, or adjacent waters, after July 28, 1954. This includes those serving there today, and those serving up to a not-yet-determined future date. The Korea Defense Service Medal will be awarded to those assigned, attached or

  • Test uniforms soon arriving at Elmendorf

    In early 2002, the Air Force chief of staff and the U.S. Air Force Uniform Board put together a uniform that met distinct criteria. It had to be better fitting, less expensive and easier to maintain, and specific to the Air Force.Elmendorf is one of the nine testing sites for this proposed utility

  • Tuskegee Airmen opened doors for black aviators

    The modern Air Force is a diverse force made up of many races and cultures. But this was not always the case.More than 60 years ago, the U.S. Army Air Corps created an experimental black pilot-training program to test their abilities. With determination and persistence, the first black pilots, the

  • Computer-based training available to all

    For Air Force people wishing to further their education, the solution could be just a mouse click away. The U.S. Air Force computer-based training system, located at http://usaf.smartforce.com, allows people to supplement major blocks of formal education that may not be a part of an individual’s

  • Walking Shield helps American Indians

    For 10 years now, the Air Force has helped house and provide assistance to American Indians living on reservations in the United States through its participation in Operation Walking Shield. The Air Force deputy assistant secretary for installations, Fred Kuhn, co-chaired the OWS Management

  • F/A-22 required for deep strike against enemy threats

    Maintaining deep-strike capability is critical to future warfighting operations. In a March 3 testimony before the House Armed Services Committee subcommittee on projection forces, Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley said the Air Force must continue to maintain its deep-strike

  • Red Cross offers food, friendship to returning Soldiers

    As they enter Incirlik’s temporary terminal, hundreds of U.S. Soldiers coming from Iraq stop by the shoppette and souvenir booths, but ultimately end up at a makeshift American Red Cross stand.Red Cross volunteers are helping out at the terminal by providing hot beverages and baked goods to

  • Posthumous citizenships include family benefits

    The U.S. government historically has granted posthumous citizenship to non-U.S. citizen servicemembers killed in the line of duty during wartime.Thanks to a close working relationship between officials at the Defense Department and the Department of Homeland Security, this process is now on the fast

  • Flowerbeds: Root cause of tree stress

    Trees dying for attention here will soon receive some much-needed care from 796th Civil Engineer Squadron people.“Last summer, we noticed that several trees appeared to be dying,” said Lt. Col. Craig Campbell, 796th CES commander. After an analysis performed by the 796th CES workers and a

  • From cosmetics to test jets

    In the tumultuous times of 1930s America, Pensacola, Fla., native Jacqueline “Jackie” Cochran was a successful entrepreneur in the world of women’s cosmetics. But not many who saw her marketing powders and colored creams in those days would imagine that she would soon set records in the upstart

  • Team tests for weapons of mass destruction

    To date, no nuclear, biological or chemical agents have been found here, but a team of Airmen stands ready around the clock to check for potential NBC agents, and it now has a controlled facility to perform the tests.The team, seven Airmen assigned to the 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer

  • Camp Cunningham honors Air Force hero

    A true American hero was remembered March 4 during a ceremony that officially dedicated the Air Force compound here to the memory of Senior Airman Jason D. Cunningham. Airman Cunningham gave his life supporting Operation Enduring Freedom while saving the lives of 10 others March 4, 2002.The

  • Robins man has electric passion for catching perfect storm

    Some folks might say that Edward Aspera Jr. does not have the common sense to come in from the rain.But he will tell you, he does not mind. When you are a storm chaser and your passion for photographing Mother Nature's fury takes you around the country with camera equipment, a portable weather

  • JASDF flies first humanitarian mission into Iraq

    The Japan air self-defense force flew its first humanitarian mission into Iraq as part of coalition air forces, landing at Tallil Air Base on March 3.While self defense forces have previously conducted humanitarian deployments to other locations in the world, this is the first time Japanese airmen

  • Air Force: Manpower unevenly distributed

    Air Force leaders said manpower within the service is unevenly distributed. While testifying March 2 before the Senate Armed Services Committee subcommittee on personnel, Michael Dominguez said the service is in the process of rebalancing its manpower resources. He is the assistant secretary of

  • Secretary briefs lawmakers in ‘posture’ hearing

    The F/A-22 Raptor, sexual harassment, force blending and the tanker lease program were all topics of discussion as the service’s senior executive testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee on March 2.Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche, along with the other service secretaries,

  • 'Scopes' get airmen quickly back on track

    Wilford Hall Medical Center surgeons are getting basic military trainees back into training faster with the help of laparoscopy. Surgical recoveries, which used to require four to six weeks, can now take as little as one to two weeks, according to medical officials. One recent case typified the

  • Wolfowitz addresses Guard, Reserve deployment concerns

    Though reserve-component forces are going through a stressful time, the Defense Department is working hard to improve the situation, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz told Guard and Reserve leaders here.Secretary Wolfowitz, speaking at the Adjutants General Association of the United States

  • March issue of Airman available

    Read about recent changes at the Air Force Academy and take a look at airmen serving in Southwest Asia -- from the airmen fresh out of training to the medical staff who save lives in Baghdad. These features and more highlight the March issue of Airman magazine, now available in print and online at

  • Predators move to Balad

    The unit came packed and ready to position themselves autonomously, so they could pursue their prey quietly, unseen for hours.Arriving ready to set up one of the most impressive unmanned aerial aircraft in the U.S. inventory, the Nevada unit was ready for business within days of their arrival here.

  • Personnel services now available on AF Portal

    The days where people need to remember numerous user IDs and passwords for basic online personnel services are coming to an end thanks to the Air Force Portal."The portal is a powerful tool," said Col. Gregory Touhill, director of personnel data systems at the Air Force Personnel Center here. "We

  • Guard, Reserve reach out to employers

    The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is teaming up with local Chambers of Commerce to salute local employers who have demonstrated exceptional support for their employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.The initiative is part of a broad outreach program to provide

  • Officials work on balancing Guard force

    Governors will be able to call on at least 50 percent of their National Guard forces for homeland-defense missions and other state emergencies because of a plan to realign Army and Air Guard units during the next few years, the chief of the National Guard Bureau said."We will balance our forces,

  • Five generations keep proud tradition alive

    His life was spent fighting for freedom; his own freedom and the freedom of a country not yet born.Not only did he give his life in prelude to revolution from a tyrannical king, he left a legacy that continues to serve this country's continuous fight to preserve freedom at home and abroad. And one

  • Force-protection airmen keep alert

    With service and delivery contracts totaling more than $1.2 million and about 160 local nationals or third-country nationals on base at any one time, someone has to keep an eye on the workers.That duty falls to a team of about 50 airmen assigned to the force-protection section of the 407th Civil

  • Aircrew thinks fast during combat-zone emergency

    C-17 Globemaster III aircrews on departure from Iraqi airfields are accustomed to being on the lookout for threats to the aircraft. One crew from the 16th Airlift Squadron here had to wrestle with a threat from within the aircraft on a recent flight out of northern Iraq.The Globemaster III was

  • Airmen answer National Call to Service

    Since its inception in October, more than 240 trainees who enlisted under the National Call to Service Program have attended basic military training here.Under the terms set by the 2003 National Defense Authorization Act, the new airmen can serve a 15-month enlistment, followed by a possible

  • Airmen rescue civilian pilot in Alaska

    A pilot is out of the woods, literally, after being rescued by the Alaska Air National Guard’s 210th Rescue Squadron on March 1.Ted Greene, an Anchorage resident in his mid-70s, called in a mayday report after his plane crashed and was hung up in some trees in the Skwenta area, about 60 miles

  • Modeling, simulation agency names best performers

    The Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation recognized its best performers for 2003 during its yearly conference here Feb. 24 to 26. Best performers were recognized in four categories as either teams or individuals. Winners included: -- Acquisition Category: The Simulation and Analysis

  • Air Force brings aid, experts to Morocco

    In the early hours of Feb. 24, a 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck the Al Hoceima Province in northern Morocco. Within the next few hours, two smaller aftershocks measuring 4.3 and 4.1 shook the remote region. Initial reports indicated more than 570 people were killed and 405 injured. On Feb. 28,

  • Now showing: March 1 edition of AFTV News

    A landmark University of Rochester study of suicide in the Air Force headlines the latest edition of Air Force Television News.Staff Sgt. John Anderson talks to the study author, Dr. Kerry Knox, who said the Air Force program could be a model for private-sector businesses. The study found the

  • Still time to leave active duty early

    Nearly 1,250 airmen have applied to leave the Air Force early under force shaping. As the March 12 application deadline draws near, officials looking to trim the force by more than 16,000 are encouraging all airmen to carefully look at options to retire or separate earlier than they might otherwise

  • Portal provides information, access, instant messaging

    Air Force senior leaders have asked that all airmen sign up for a new Web-based technology that promises to streamline access to information across the force -- the Air Force Portal.In a December information technology initiatives memo, Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche and Chief of

  • New avenue available for civilian information

    Civilian appropriated-fund employees and prospective applicants can now get answers to questions about employment opportunities, benefits and entitlements and more online at the Air Force's Customer Service Center.A new database, located at www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/cst, includes hundreds of

  • BRAC criteria focus on 'military value'

    Military value will be the focus for the final selection criteria to be used in the 2005 round of base realignment and closures.That value represents the ability of the installation to contribute to the Defense Department’s future mission capabilities and operational readiness, said Philip Grone,

  • Desert Storm veterans return after 13 years

    When Saddam Hussein ordered his forces to march south through Kuwait on Aug. 2, 1990, little did he know of the resolve of the young airmen who would rise to the occasion to repulse the attack.From November 1990 to May 1991, Senior Airmen Darrell Wiedenbeck, Elbert Bembry and Edward Timberman, and

  • Policy changes affect civil service employees

    The 2004 National Defense Authorization Act put in to motion changes to civilian pay, overtime and leave.The legislation also launched the National Security Personnel System, the biggest overhaul of the government's civilian personnel system in decades.Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld called the

  • Officials introduce war on terrorism medals

    Servicemembers serving at home and abroad in the war on terrorism will now be recognized for that service. Department of Defense officials announced Feb. 26 the final approval of two new medals and their criteria.Individuals who have deployed for operations Enduring Freedom or Iraqi Freedom will be

  • Services initiative lets 'you be you'

    A new initiative to introduce new airmen to the leisure and recreational activities available to them on base will kick off in March.A joint venture between Air Education and Training Command and the Air Force Services Agency, the new UBU program lets “you be you.” It allows airmen basic through

  • Academy adds editorial, speech writing to curriculum

    Writing editorials and speeches is not always easy for the “techno-centric.”Since most of the Air Force's senior enlisted leaders are people managers experienced as mechanics, number crunchers or computer fixers, they often have limited experience putting their thoughts on paper. The idea of having

  • Leaders talk to Congress about long-range strike

    A variant of the F/A-22 Raptor is one consideration for the Air Force’s next long-range strike aircraft, the Air Force’s senior leaders said.Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper met with members of the House Committee on Armed Services on

  • General briefs senators on sexual harassment in Air Force

    Sexual harassment is a problem in the Air Force, but the service’s second-highest ranking officer assured members of the U.S. Senate that it has the full attention of senior leaders.Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley testified Feb. 25 before the Senate Armed Services Committee

  • Air Force leader discusses U.S. space program

    The executive agent for space testified before the House Armed Services Committee subcommittee on strategic forces Feb. 25 on the status of America's space program.Undersecretary of the Air Force Peter B. Teets, who is also the director of the National Reconnaissance Office, told committee members

  • CMSAF addresses quality of life

    The service’s ranking enlisted member addressed quality-of-life issues to the House subcommittee on military construction Feb. 25.Overall, quality of life in the Air Force has greatly improved, contributing to increased morale and retention, said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray.

  • NASA names MacDill landing site for space shuttle

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration officials have named this base an alternate landing site for space shuttle missions.Alternate sites are typically selected based on weather conditions or the power level of the shuttle during re-entry.Software updates to the shuttles’ landing programs

  • Drop-zone experts ensure success during Balikatan 2004

    “Winds are calm. Clear to drop.” With these words Capt. Laura Curvey, an air mobility liaison officer from the 36th Airlift Squadron at Yokota Air Base, Japan, officially signaled the start of bilateral airdrop operations during exercise Balikatan 2004 here. The term Balikatan is a Tagalog word

  • 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

  • All-weather friends vital to CAOC mission

    It really does all depend on the weather when it comes to planning air operations.This holds true at the Combined Air Operations Center here, the central hub for air and space operations dealing with operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and in the Horn of Africa region.The CAOC weather cell

  • Incirlik airman found guilty of assault

    An airman here was sentenced to five months confinement, forfeiture of $795 of pay per month for five months and a demotion to airman basic after being convicted of several crimes. This was Incirlik's first court martial since 2002.Airman Basic Lionel Young, of the 39th Logistics Readiness

  • Reservists vital for seamless flow of business

    In this time of heightened operations tempo, Air Force units are constantly cycling in and out of different conflict zones worldwide. With a few exceptions, servicemembers in almost every career field in the military have the potential to be sent on a temporary duty assignment for extended periods

  • Airmen experience sights, sounds, tastes of India

    For the 130 airmen working here in February during Cope India ‘04, the job of flying and fixing aircraft has taken on a whole new meaning.Cope India ’04 is a bilateral exercise between the air forces from the Unites States and India involving fighter aircraft -- the first of its kind in more than 40

  • Raptor program still flies

    Air Force officials said they will continue with the F/A-22 Raptor program. Fervor over the Army's cancellation of the $6.9 billion Comanche helicopter program Feb. 23 raised questions about the future of the Air Force's F/A-22, said the director of Air Force combat force capability requirements.

  • Airmen fill joint airlift needs

    When Army and Marine units receive orders to deploy, a small group of airmen is often called upon to turn sister services' air mobility needs into reality. These airmen, known as air mobility liaison officers, are experienced rated officers permanently based with Army and Marine units worldwide.

  • Airmen help community by building homes

    Spending a Saturday morning working on your house may not seem like anything new, but what about spending that Saturday morning working on the house of someone you do not even know? This is what a group of airmen from throughout the base here have been doing with their spare time for Habitat for

  • DUI puts ex-cop on other side of law

    Handcuffed and scared, a 23-year-old senior airman here rode in the back seat of a local Warner Robins Police Department squad car, playing over in his mind the night that abruptly changed his life.It was Veterans' Day 2003 when Airman X, as he will be called at his request, drank, drove and crashed

  • Servicemembers can apply for expedited U.S. citizenship

    Foreign-born servicemembers can now speed up the process to obtain American citizenship.The immediate eligibility for servicemembers to become a naturalized citizen is based on Executive Order 13269 signed by President Bush on July 3, 2002. Section 329 of the 8 U.S. Code allows the president to

  • Servicemembers encouraged to invest in TSP

    A money savvy servicemember serving in Iraq did not wait to get back home to buy a shiny new car with his $30,000 re-enlistment bonus. Instead, he invested all of it into the Thrift Savings Plan."Assuming a 7-percent rate of return, his $30,000 is projected to be $345,000 by the time he reaches age

  • Cope India brings out fighter ops

    Residents who live in the nearby city of Gwalior are accustomed to the sounds of fighter-jet operations -- the noise of takeoff, landings and sonic booms. But the roar of U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagle aircraft in the sky above this north central Indian air force station is something completely new.The

  • Leaders call for re-energized suicide-prevention efforts

    After 11 active-duty suicides since Jan. 1 and 14 during the final quarter of 2003, Air Force senior leaders are asking commanders and leaders across the service to assess and re-energize suicide prevention efforts at all levels. The 2003 calendar year suicide rate of 10.5 per 100,000 people was

  • Bombers arrive at Andersen

    The first three B-52 Stratofortress bombers from Minot Air Force Base, N.D., arrived here Feb. 22 under an overcast sky. A total of six bombers from the 5th Bomb Wing will call Andersen home for an undetermined amount of time at the request of U.S. Pacific Command officials.The bombers are the

  • U.S. forces provide medical, dental assistance in Thailand

    U.S. forces participating in Cope Tiger ’04 here helped improve the health and welfare of more than 2,100 Thai villagers during a three-day medical and dental civic assistance program visit Feb. 20 to 22.About 20 U.S. physicians, dentists and medical technicians -- comprising airmen, Marines and

  • OSI comes face-to-face with evil

    For a group of specially trained airmen serving in Afghanistan, coming face-to-face with evil is just "another day at the office" as they conduct counterintelligence and anti-terrorism operations. Tasked with providing military leaders current, accurate information about enemy threats, the Air Force

  • Airmen train Navy's 'Rocky' to become contender

    In the 1980s, Rocky Balboa knocked out many contenders. At Charleston a new Rocky is poised to arise and become victorious in 2004.The 437th Security Forces Squadron canine unit here is helping the Charleston Naval Weapons Station develop a kennel program. The unit here has opened its doors to

  • 817th EAS keeps crews flying

    A "C-17 one-stop combat ops shop" accurately depicts the 817th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron at Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany.Airmen deployed from the 17th Airlift Squadron here provide every service needed for C-17 Globemaster III aircrews from here and McChord Air Force Base, Wash., as well as

  • B-24 pilot receives DFC, Air Medal

    A B-24 bomber pilot has finally received the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal he earned in World War II. The presentation took place during a ceremony here recently that relived the perils airmen faced during the 1940s.Then a first lieutenant, Kenneth Kinsinger earned the Distinguished

  • PMEL professionals practice precision

    They diagnose, treat and cure. There is no room for error in their line of work, or it could cost someone his or her life.The professionals assigned to the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron’s precision measurement equipment laboratory are doctors for one of the Air Force’s most precious

  • Camera maintainers are two of a kind

    Endangered species are scattered around the world, sometimes in the least likely of places. The few hundred remaining mountain gorillas are found deep in the Congo. A few dozen Amur tigers exist in out-of-the-way Siberia. The surviving giant pandas are located in secluded southern China.But the

  • Recruiting service unveils ‘shrink-wrapped’ buses

    Air Force Recruiting Service officials rolled out their latest advertising campaign to senior leaders Feb. 19: two very colorful buses.The vehicles are standard in every way, except they are covered with a shrink-wrap design rather than a traditional paint scheme. Each vehicle features the F/A-22

  • Chief of staff takes aim at safety

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper has made it clear that he wants a mishap-free Air Force.General Jumper posted his thoughts on safety in his Feb. 18 “Chief’s Sight Picture.” The Sight Picture can be accessed through the Air Force’s Internet home page at www.af.mil. “Our ultimate goal is

  • Air Force brings DFAS airmen back on base

    To improve its total-force personnel posture, the Air Force will move nearly 400 airmen assigned to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service back to base-level comptroller squadrons.Airmen working in Department of Defense billets like DFAS support the overall military mission, but do not directly

  • New civilian personnel system moves forward

    The Pentagon's personnel chief said he hopes to bring the first 300,000 civilian Defense Department employees under the new National Security Personnel System within the next six months.The system, authorized by the fiscal 2004 National Defense Authorization Act, will introduce sweeping changes to

  • Barrier technicians ensure mission safety

    Their hard work and dedication is revealed in times of crisis, and throughout each flight mission, they are there.Mobile Aircraft Arresting System barrier technicians from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, are here for Cope India 04, the first bilateral dissimilar air combat exercise between the

  • Myers stresses transformation in war on terror

    The United States is doing "pretty well" in the war on terror, but more needs to be done and more progress is necessary to transform American military capabilities, Gen. Richard B. Myers said Feb. 18.The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff spoke at a "Space at the Crossroads" conference

  • Center steps up airlift support

    Strategic airlift directorate officials here are supporting an Air Mobility Command surge request with implications far beyond any in recent history.This strategic airlift surge, requiring both parts and aircraft, stems from an ongoing troop rotation touted as the largest swap out of U.S. forces

  • CAOC historians preserve past for the future

    Philosopher George Santayana once wrote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” With the volume of events from operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, someone has to decide what details from these operations are filed away for future leaders to draw upon years down

  • KC-135 team keeps fuel flowing down range

    One of the key missions of the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing here is providing fuel to the fighters and bombers supporting coalition warfighters in Afghanistan.This means the KC-135 Stratotanker operators and maintainers from Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., and MacDill AFB, Fla., must keep their

  • Air Force announces OTS selections

    Air Force officials selected 84 enlisted airmen to trade in their stripes for gold bars by choosing them to attend Officer Training School, officials here announced Feb. 18.OTS Selection Board 0403, which met here Jan. 13 to 16, considered 396 applications. The board selected 263 people, including

  • Group turning crumbling symbol into a military airfield

    Airmen from the 455th Expeditionary Operations Group civil engineers are turning what was once a crumbling symbol of oppression into a military airfield that supports operations aimed at eliminating terrorists.In 1955, the Soviet Union promised $100 million to Afghanistan. Part of that money was to

  • Deployed airmen represent honor, dignity

    The American flag waves in a light breeze, its bright colors standing out in stark contrast over the gray, cracked concrete of hardened, Soviet aircraft shelters that once represented a communist state. Below the flag, airmen wearing perfectly pressed desert camouflage uniforms stand at attention.

  • Sexual assault review panel visiting Sheppard

    A cross-functional review panel is examining reports of sexual assault by students at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas.Gen. Donald G. Cook, commander of Air Education and Training Command, selected Col. K.C. McClain, AETC deputy director of operations for technical training, to lead the panel's review