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U.S. Air Force News

  • Exchanging aeromedical evacuation training across the continents

    With outside temperatures reaching above 95 degrees and temperatures inside the classroom feeling much warmer than that, the total force instructors of the Air Force active duty, National Guard and Reserve have started their course instruction portion of MEDLITE 11 to the more than 70 Congolese

  • Service members support Arctic Care in rural Alaska

    The Alaska National Guard is joining forces with active-duty and Reserve units across the nation to provide support for Operation Arctic Care April 15 through 30.Led this year by deployment support officials from the Army Reserve's 807th Medical Command, Arctic Care is an annual two-week mission

  • Continuing to strengthen nuclear operations: Munitions squadrons to realign

    Air Force officials announced April 27 here plans to transfer munitions squadrons responsible for nuclear mission support from Air Force Materiel Command to Air Force Global Strike Command in the next 12 months.This is another step in continuing to strengthen the nuclear enterprise; under a previous

  • Air force leaders from Africa, U.S. meet in Ethiopia

    Air force leaders from more than 20 nations across Africa joined with U.S. Air Force leaders here April 26 to discuss aviation issues and develop partnerships across the continent.The 2011 African Air Chiefs Conference, which runs through April 28, is hosted by Air Forces Africa, also known as 17th

  • Japan Minister of Defense highlights bilateral capabilities at Yokota

    Japanese Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa visited here April 23 to observe the capabilities of the Japanese Central Readiness Force and the U.S. military's chemical biological incident response force.This was the first visit to Yokota Air Base by a Japan Defense Minister since the Ministry of

  • Space Command official stresses cybertraining, security

    The vice commander of Air Force Space Command has noted the shift in focus from tangible hardware to the expansion of cyberspace.Lt. Gen. Michael Basla describes cyberspace and the electromagnetic spectrum as the military's growing common link connecting all domains: land, air, sea and space. "Not

  • Iraqi air force leaders thank U.S advisers, celebrate 80th anniversary

    U.S. Air Force and Iraqi officials opened a state-of-the-art air operations center here as the Iraqi air force celebrated its 80th anniversary April 21. The grand opening of a $9 million AOC at Hawk Base here kicked off a series of festivities celebrating the anniversary of the founding of Iraq's

  • Air Force officials announce helicopter acquisition strategy

    Air Force officials announced their strategy here April 25 to recapitalize the Air Force's helicopter fleet, which is critical to nuclear weapon security response, continuity of government, and combat search and rescue.The Air Force secretary and chief of staff have directed that the service proceed

  • Students compete, hope for brighter tomorrow

    Alfred Waluchio doesn't need a fact sheet or a market study to prove the importance of renewable energy to America's future prosperity. He's spent the past year of his life working with four fellow aspiring engineering and business students preparing to field technology that would convert electric

  • Officials eliminate exception to short-tour credit

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz approved rescinding a temporary policy established in 2003 that allowed Airmen to receive short-tour credit for overseas TDYs of at least 181 consecutive days. The effective date of the new policy will be announced at a later date.Although the policy

  • Gates: Obama OKs Predator strikes in Libya

    President Barack Obama has approved the use of U.S. armed predator strikes in Libya, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said April 22."The president has said that where we have some unique capabilities, he is willing to use those," Secretary Gates said. "In fact, he has approved the use of armed

  • Air Force leader talks future of air, missile defense at ISAD 2020

    The Air Force's senior leader in U.S. Central Command met with other military leaders from around the globe during the International Symposium on Air Defense 2020 from April 17 to 19 at the Air Defense Forces Institute in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.Lt. Gen. Mike Hostage, the Combined Forces Air Component

  • Mullen: Meeting reaffirms U.S.-Pakistan ties

    Reaffirmation of the relationship between the U.S. and Pakistani militaries was the most important aspect of his meeting last night with his Pakistani counterpart, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said today. The meeting at Army House in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad was the first

  • DOD: U.S. continues support of NATO operations in Libya

    A U.S. military fighter jet destroyed two of Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi's surface-to-air missile sites near the Libyan capital of Tripoli April 18, continuing U.S. support of NATO operations there, officials reported.Since NATO took the lead of multilateral operations in Libya on April 1, U.S.

  • NASA specialists to descend on Offutt

    More than 20 NASA flight crew, ground crew and technicians are scheduled to arrive here late this month as the base's newest, if only temporary, members. The team will bring a NASA ER-2 to participate in the Mid-latitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment over Oklahoma. This U-2-based platform

  • U.S.-trained Afghan pilots advance in Mi-17 course, designated as co-pilots

    The first two Afghan air force helicopter pilots to complete basic aviator training in the U.S. recently became qualified as co-pilots in the Mi-17 helicopter, the focal point of the Afghan air force's rotary-wing force. The qualification marks the halfway point in their Mi-17 training.In order to

  • Fiscal 2011 enlisted force management programs conclude after meeting goal

    Air Force officials announced the closure of enlisted voluntary and involuntary force management programs for fiscal 2011 after meeting end-strength goals for enlisted Airmen. Force management programs announced in December 2010 were implemented to size and shape the force to meet congressionally

  • Total force 'calico' wing supports world-wide operations

    Airmen serving in the 313th Air Expeditionary Wing at an air base here are from myriad places, but they are "one team."Those Airmen, and the planes they use for air refueling and airlift during Operation Unified Protector, are not only active duty, but also Air National Guard and Air Force

  • Organization honors service members' children

    Officials with Our Military Kids honored four children and a military family here yesterday in an award ceremony at the Navy Memorial here.During the organization's "Our Military Kids of the Year" event, retired Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace, the 16th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and an Our

  • Air Force sexual assault response coordinator earns Federal Service Award

    Dr. Charlotte Moerbe, the Joint Base San Antonio sexual assault response coordinator, was recognized for outstanding work on behalf of crime victims by Department of Justice officials April 8 during the National Crime Victims' Service Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.Dr. Moerbe received one of two

  • Kandahar Air Wing achieves medical evacuation milestone

    A combined team of Afghan air force and coalition members conducted the first dedicated Mi-17 medical evacuation mission April 11 here. The team moved an Afghan National Army officer, who incurred a compound leg fracture, from Camp Bastion back to Kandahar.The planning for the inaugural mission

  • Dover colonels perform sacred duty

    Each colonel assigned to Dover Air Force Base has a unique mission in addition to his or her primary duties as a wing, vice or group commander. There are nine O-6s assigned here who serve as dignified transfer hosts for fallen heroes returning to American soil. The title DTH is given to the colonel

  • Cyber 1.1 kicks off National Space Symposium

    Air Force Space Command Airmen kicked off the weeklong National Space Symposium April 11 here with a day devoted entirely to cyber discussion, the second annual Cyber 1.1 event.Gen. William Shelton, the AFSPC commander, recognized the event as a chance to think about where the Air Force is going in

  • Changed South Korea duty tours aid readiness

    Normalizing U.S. military duty tours in South Korea will increase combat readiness and greatly reduce stress for service members and their families, the top U.S. military commander in the region told the Senate Armed Services Committee here April 12."A force multiplier, tour normalization keeps

  • Army has new chief of staff

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates wanted an Army chief of staff willing to challenge the status quo, and he believes he has one in Gen. Martin E. Dempsey.General Dempsey succeeded Gen. George W. Casey Jr. as the Army chief of staff during a ceremony at Fort Myer, Va., April 11."Whatever challenges

  • Fisher House helps service members' children

    Military children of service members who died or who were seriously disabled in the line of duty might be eligible for a college education through the Fisher House Foundation.Foundation chairman Kenneth Fisher says the Heroes' Legacy scholarships can be used by students to attend school in the fall.

  • First lady, Dr. Biden to launch family-support initiative

    First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, the wife of Vice President Joe Biden, will launch a national initiative tomorrow that will call on all sectors of society to support and honor America's service members and their families.The initiative is intended to educate, challenge and spark action

  • Army drill sergeant pushes BMT flight

    When Army Staff Sgt. David Peters marched Air Force Basic Military Training Flight 258 past reviewing officials during a parade here April 8, it completed one half of a basic training instructor exchange between services.The drill sergeant-military training instructor exchange has given the Air

  • Enlisted medics honored at Armed Services YMCA gala

    Air Force active-duty, Reserve and Guard enlisted medics were among those from all service components honored at the Armed Services YMCA's 5th Annual Angels of the Battlefield Gala at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center here March 31. Army Gen. Raymond Odierno, the commander of

  • Officials discuss DOD's government shutdown plans

    Military personnel will report to duty as normal if the U.S. government shuts down midnight, April 8, Pentagon officials said April 7. The department has identified tasks that must continue if or when a government shutdown occurs, said Pentagon spokesman Marine Col. Dave Lapan. "Who is affected

  • Former COMUSAFE awarded highest Latvian honor

    A former commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe was presented the highest Latvian honor April 1 in a ceremony in Washington D.C. Retired Gen. William Tom Hobbins, the USAFE commander from 2005 to 2008, was awarded the Order of Viesturs, First Grade, by Latvian President Valdis Zatlers in recognition

  • Air Force leaders discuss future of Airmen in joint operations across Iraq

    Air force leaders from the U.S., Iraq and other locations across Southwest Asia gathered on Victory Base Complex, Iraq, recently.During the conference, leaders reviewed the future manpower support of U.S. forces by joint expeditionary tasking and individual augmentee Airmen as Operation New Dawn

  • Symposium sets standards for efficient, total force training

    Air Force officials recently concluded the annual Environment, Safety and Occupational Health Training Symposium in Nashville, Tenn., where more than 1,200 active duty, Guard and Reserve Airmen met for intensive training. By gathering in a single venue, and maintaining a busy class schedule

  • Gates, Shinseki agree to joint electronic medical records

    Two years after they joined President Barack Obama in announcing plans to create a joint virtual lifetime electronic record, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki have agreed to create a joint common platform for their departments' electronic medical

  • General discusses Reserve efficiencies, budget on Capitol Hill

    As Congress continues to debate and find ways to fund the fiscal 2011 budget, Reserve leaders were on Capitol Hill to testify and answer questions about the president's fiscal 2012 budget that was introduced in February.The House Armed Services Committee's subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land

  • Air Force chief information officer discusses way ahead for cyberoperations

    The Air Force chief information officer addressed modern cyberspace threats and the impact of social networking at the Air Force Association Cyber Futures Symposium and Convention here April 1.Lt. Gen. William T. Lord emphasized that despite recent budgetary constraints, the Air Force needs to

  • Airmen contribute to training, operational missions in Italy

    Eleven Airmen from here traveled to Italy aboard a C-17 Globemaster III recently to help three U.S. and Italian army and air force units fulfill airborne training. During their week-long stint, they executed 1,480 paratrooper jumps. "We do joint airborne air transportability training, a way for the

  • Memorial marathon eternalizes Bataan Death March

    People from around the U.S. and several foreign countries gathered March 27 at White Sands Missile Range for the 22nd Annual Bataan Memorial Death March to honor and recognize a special group of World War II veterans.The Bataan Memorial Death March honors the 75,000 U.S. and Filipino troops who

  • Visit commemorates communications pioneer

    Air Force Network Integration Center officials welcomed the family and friends of Lt. Gen. Harold W. Grant here March 28 to learn more about the late general's legacy and see firsthand the building named in his honor. Grant is recognized as a communications pioneer who avidly worked to ensure Air

  • Air Force officials present budget to appropriations committees

    Air Force leaders discussed the service's fiscal 2012 budget request and their concerns about operating under a continuing resolution with members of the Senate and House Appropriations Committees during hearings here March 30 and 31.In the March 30 hearing before the Senate Appropriations

  • Project Crossbow enhances capabilities

    A collaborative U.S. Air Force and United Kingdom Royal Air Force program is making it easier for the two services to share information collected via intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems.The program, dubbed Project Crossbow and modeled on the U.S. Air Force's Distributed Common

  • Training for repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell ongoing for Airmen

    Air Force officials began training Airmen March 1 in anticipation of the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell with a goal of having all Airmen trained on or about June 30.Commanders throughout the Air Force will schedule commander's calls or other such events to ensure face-to-face training is available

  • AAF officials graduate first weapons safety NCO

    The Afghan air force recently saw an improvement in its safety program with the graduation of the first weapon safety airman in the entire force.AAF Sgt. Yosufzai Hamayattullah completed the two-month basic explosives hazards course on a AAF base here, establishing with him the foundation of a

  • NATO officials assume responsibility for no-fly zone over Libya

    NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen announced the alliance will assume command and control of coalition operations enforcing the no-fly zone over Libya authorized by U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973."We are taking action as part of the broad international effort to protect civilians

  • PACAF commander signs Japanese condolence letter

    The Pacific Air Forces commander visited the Consulate General of Japan here March 22 to express his sympathy for the Japanese people. Gen. Gary L. North's signature of an official condolence book joined those of federal, state, city and county government agency officials who penned their

  • Officer discusses today's military at American Legion conference

    An Air Force officer shared her experiences in modern warfare with more than 700 veterans during the American Legion mid-winter conference here March 22.Maj. Allison Black, the first female AC-130H Spectre navigator to shoot in combat operations and the first female Air Force Combat Action Medal

  • Senior leaders thank KC-46A source selection team

    Department of Defense and Air Force senior leaders flew here from Washington March 21 to congratulate the team responsible for the source selection of the Air Force's top acquisition priority: the KC-46A tanker. Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley; Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition,

  • Annual Air Force symposium embraces critical training environment

    Air Force officials launched their annual Environmental, Safety and Occupational Health Training Symposium here March 21, hosting more than 1,800 participants and 120 exhibitors.Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Terry Yonkers, Air Force Civil Engineer Maj. Gen. Tim Byers and Brig. Gen. Dave Howe,

  • Mullen says no-fly zone 'effectively in place'

    Initial operations in Libya have been very effective, with French, British and U.S. air strikes crippling Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi's capabilities, the U.S. military's top-ranking officer said March 20.Speaking on CNN's "State of the Union," Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs

  • Photo essay: 353rd Special Operations Group Airmen deliver supplies

    A crew from the 353rd Special Operations Group at Kadena Air Base here delivered supplies to Sendai Airport March 16. The crew brought water, food, fuel and other general supplies to the members of the 353rd Special Operations Group at Sendai Airport, who are establishing a usable runway to help

  • T-38 completes 50 years of service

    Officials commemorated the T-38 Talon supersonic jet trainer's 50th service anniversary in a ceremony here March 17.The T-38 was first deployed in March 1961, and has served as a training vehicle for multiple generations of pilots and pilot instructors throughout its five decades of service.Col.

  • Incirlik Airmen strengthen partnership with local doctors

    Airmen at the 39th Medical Group here held an open house for their Turkish counterparts from two local hospitals recently, to build stronger partnerships between the organizations, 39th Medical Group officials said.More than 30 doctors, nurses, general managers and administrators from the Birlesik

  • Air Force officials present budget to Senate

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz discussed the Air Force fiscal-2012 budget request and recent developments in Japan and Libya during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing here March 17. The Air Force's baseline budget request of $150

  • Air Force officials take space budget, acquisition strategy to Capitol Hill

    Air Force senior leaders testified about the service's fiscal 2012 budget and space capabilities investments before the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee here March 15. Under Secretary of the Air Force Erin Conaton; Gen. William Shelton, the Air Force Space Command commander;

  • Air Force pioneer speaks at women's conference

    An Air Force pioneer, who is now serving as the top-ranked woman in the Air Force, shared lessons learned during her 34-year career March 16 with more than 170 Airmen at the Joint Women's Leadership Symposium here.The two-day symposium allowed women from each service branch to speak with their

  • High-altitude chamber replaced by new mask for Iraqi air force

    A team of aerospace physiologists from several Air Force installations are here to help the Iraqi air force install and train with its newest piece of training equipment. The team held a demonstration March 14 to showcase how the device will assist in training, as well as save time and money in the

  • Air Force officials focus on sexual assault prevention

    Air Force Secretary Michael Donley directed a comprehensive review of the service's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program as a result of information provided by a survey of active-duty members, officials said March 16.This survey was specifically designed to establish baseline data for

  • Doughboy's burial marks end of era

    Americans recognized the end of an era March 15 as they bade a solemn farewell to Army Cpl. Frank Woodruff Buckles, the last surviving U.S. World War I veteran. He was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery here with full military honors.President Barack Obama paid tribute to Mr. Buckles as he

  • Air Force officials use Global Hawk to support Japan relief efforts

    Pacific Air Forces officials are using an RQ-4 Global Hawk from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to assist Japan responders in disaster relief and recovery efforts, following the March 11 earthquake and the resulting tsunami off the eastern coast of Japan.The Global Hawk, a high-altitude,

  • Carpathian Spring kicks off in Romania

    More than 70 Airmen and Soldiers headed to Romania March 14, officially marking the kickoff of Carpathian Spring 2011. The weeklong annual exercise was designed to strengthen the partnership between the U.S. and Romanian air forces, while also enhancing their individual capabilities through training

  • VA launches new PSA on suicide prevention for veterans

    Department of Veterans Affairs officials are reaching out to veterans in crisis and their families in a new public service announcement to raise awareness about suicide prevention resources, such as the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). "As more veterans return from Iraq and

  • Joint training for joint operations

    A joint service and interagency exercise using both "live" and "virtual" forces concluded here recently.Emerald Warrior concentrates on integrated tactics and multi-service command and control, as well as leverages lessons from Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom to provide trained and

  • First flight a success for future Afghan flying crew chiefs

    Four Afghan airmen attached to the Kandahar Air Wing recently flew their first flights as part of the inaugural flying crew chiefs course here.The month-long course pairs U.S. flying crew chiefs and Afghan crew chief trainees and focuses on the operational capability of the MI-17 transport

  • Air Force, families, Kuwaiti ambassador remember Gulf War sacrifices

     Families of service members who lost their lives in the Gulf War gathered together Mar. 13 here  to pay tribute to their loved ones as part of a 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony held at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.The commemoration honored those who gave their lives liberating the State of

  • Disaster response symposium focuses on strength, unity

    Disaster responders from across the nation converged in Orlando, Fla., for the 2nd Annual National Joint Defense Support of Civil Authorities Symposium, hosted by Air Forces Northern officials, to discuss better ways for federal agencies, specifically the military, to assist during man-made and

  • General Schwartz: Taking care of families critical to mission

    The roles and responsibilities that Airman and family readiness professionals perform on a daily basis are critical to the Air Force's ability to help defend the country, the Air Force chief of staff said March 10 here.Gen. Norton Schwartz and his wife Suzie addressed more than 200 Air Force

  • Chief Etchberger honored at Air Force Memorial

    Air Force leaders joined the family of Chief Master Sgt. Richard L. Etchberger at the Air Force Memorial here March 11 to honor the war hero with the unveiling of his name on the memorial's Medal of Honor recipient wall.Air Force Secretary Michael Donley, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A.

  • Official looks to define best balance of live flight, simulation

    Headquarters Air Force Director of Operations personnel plan to work closely with those in the Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation and the MAJCOMs to define the right balance of live flight hours and Distributed Mission Operations-Live, Virtual and Constructive, or DMO-LVC, to train

  • Air Force civil engineer visits Academy

    The Air Force civil engineer visited the U.S. Air Force Academy March 4 to speak to civil engineer officers and cadets about the state of civil engineer operations in Afghanistan and the effects of force management on the civil engineer officer corps.Maj. Gen. Timothy Byers and his staff looked at

  • Officials announce reduction-in-force eligibility criteria

    Air Force officials announced they will convene a quality-based reduction-in-force board Sept. 19 for mid-grade officers as part of their measures to reduce the number of Airmen to meet the service's congressionally authorized military end-strength levels.Officials said retaining the highest quality

  • CSAF visits Whiteman AFB, addresses changes

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz visited here March 8 to meet with Airmen and local civic leaders, and review the capabilities and readiness of this Air Force Global Strike Command base.During an all-call with total force Airmen and civilians, the general said the men and women of

  • AFRICOM personnel bid farewell to Ward, welcomes Ham

    Members of the Defense Department's newest combatant command bid farewell to their inaugural commander here March 9.Army Gen. William E. "Kip" Ward passed the reins of U.S. Africa Command to Army Gen. Carter F. Ham after nearly three years at the helm.Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates officiated at

  • Airmen transport refugees back to Egypt

    Two Air Force C-130s will transport Egyptian refugees from Tunisia to Cairo March 9, Defense Department officials said."The aircraft should be on the ground in Djerba now," said Marine Corps Col. Dave Lapan, referring to the Tunisian island where crews are picking up the refugees. "The plan is for

  • Commander addresses Lakenheath Airmen about Frankfurt shooting

    The commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe spoke to more than 200 Airmen from the 48th Security Forces Squadron here March 3. Gen. Mark A. Welsh III urged the Airmen to take care of each other in the wake of a shooting that claimed the lives of two Airmen and wounded two more. The shooting incident

  • Panel recommends ways to improve military diversity

    A commission created to improve diversity among military leaders has issued 20 recommendations its members say will make the military better reflect the composition of the United States in its ranks.The Military Leadership Diversity Commission, created as part of the 2009 National Defense

  • Officials announce selections to captain

    Air Force officials selected 276 first lieutenants for promotion during the 2010D Line of the Air Force, Chaplain Corps, Judge Advocate General Corps, Nurse Corps, Medical Services Corps and Biomedical Sciences Corps quarterly captain selection process.The entire list can be found on the Air Force

  • Holloman Airman sentenced in court-martial

    An Airman here was sentenced March 2 following a general court-martial.Senior Airman Phillip Warren, a 24-year-old materiel maintenance specialist with the 49th Logistics Readiness Squadron, was found guilty on the counts of premeditated attempted murder, absence without leave, wrongful

  • Panel says rescind policy on women in combat

    A commission established to study diversity among military leaders is recommending that Defense Department officials rescind the policy that prevents women from being assigned to ground combat units below the brigade level.In a report issued today, the Military Leadership Diversity Commission

  • Aviano unit earns top maintenance award

    Members of the 31st Maintenance Group recently earned the 2010 Air Force Clements McMullen Memorial Daedalian Weapon System Maintenance Trophy, excelling in all graded areas."This was not just a group win, but a win for the entire wing," said Col. Fredrick Plaumann, the 31st MXG commander. "Our

  • Dr. Biden pledges support for Guard families

    Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, promised National Guard members and their families here that she will support them during every deployment."As family members, we honor and support our (Guard members), but we also know that we will miss them each and every day they're away from us,"

  • Air Force Reserve legislative goals presented on Capitol Hill

    "Force readiness, force rebalance, and force support" are the three top legislative priorities unveiled by Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner Jr. to more than 60 congressional staffers and military liaison officers at the Senate and House Feb. 25."The new priorities are designed to focus congressional

  • Some prior service officers eligible to retire early

    Air Force officials announced plans recently to allow some prior service officers the opportunity to retire earlier than expected.As a result of the Fiscal 2011 National Defense Authorization Act, eligible officers with prior enlisted service who have completed 20 years of total active federal

  • C-5s provide 'muscle' for helicopter swap-out missions to Afghanistan

    The Air Force's biggest airlifter -- the C-5 Galaxy -- and the Airmen who maintain and fly them are part of a U.S. Transportation Command "multi-modal" effort to move Army helicopters to Afghanistan.The operation under way in Western Europe features two C-5B and two C-5M Super Galaxies and crew and

  • Contractor delivers first new E-8C Joint STARS production engine

    The U.S. Air Force E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System, or Joint STARS, achieved a significant objective March 3 as part of the ongoing System Design and Development Re-engining effort. A First Engine Delivery Ceremony was held at the Pratt & Whitney production facility in Middletown,

  • CSAF talks cooperation, efficiency at defense conference

    The Air Force and the private sector must focus their collective efforts to ensure America's defense needs are met in the face of declining purchasing power, according to the Air Force chief of staff.Gen. Norton Schwartz made the remarks during a speech to defense industry leaders, service members

  • Air Force leaders express condolences following Frankfurt shooting

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy released the following statements following the killing and wounding of Airmen March 2 at the Frankfurt International Airport, Germany. The Airmen were en route

  • Gates, Mullen urge swift action on budget

    Congress needs to take steps now to ensure troops in harm's way in Afghanistan get the gear and capabilities they need to face the Taliban, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and  Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen told a congressional panel March 2 here.Secretary Gates told

  • TRANSCOM provides nation's greatest advantage, commander says

    The greatest advantage the U.S. has over any potential enemy is the ability to project and sustain forces anywhere in the world, the commander of U.S. Transportation Command said here today."No other nation can do what we do," said Air Force Gen. Duncan J. McNabb.A decade of war has meant TRANSCOM

  • General Schwartz: Austerity, strategic challenges call for true total force

    Austerity and the strategic environment make communicating and collaborating as a total force paramount for the Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, the Air Force chief of staff said here Feb. 28.Efficiency and zero tolerance of fraud, waste and abuse are also critical priorities,

  • First female CV-22 pilot completes training

    After nearly three years of flight training with the Air Force, she recently became the first qualified female pilot of the CV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. It started with pictures of aircraft in her grandfather's home. Then it was on to starting lessons to earn her private pilot's license as a

  • Kuwait celebrates 50/20 anniversary with coalition forces

    Members of U.S. Central Command, and several coalition countries, helped commemorate Kuwait's 50/20 celebration with an airshow and parade Feb. 26.The event celebrated Kuwait's 20th year of liberation from invading forces from Iraq and its 50th year of independence from Great Britain.Some of the

  • VA's caregiver support program expanding

    Department of Veterans Affairs officials are expanding support nationally to caregivers of veterans with Alzheimer's disease.A pilot program of the Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregiver Health in VA program, or REACH VA, showed great success in reducing stress on caregivers while improving

  • National Guard, U.S. Southern Command members build partnership capacity

    The National Guard State Partnership Program is a key element to building relationships within the U.S. Southern Command region, the combatant commander said recently during the 27th annual Air Force Association Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition here."(SOUTHCOM has) 28 different state