NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • Deployed B-52s complete counter-sea exercise

    Usually, naval mines are placed at sea by dedicated ships traveling days from their home port. However, Airmen deployed to Guam's Andersen Air Force Base showcased the B-52 Stratofortress bomber's capability to quickly and accurately deliver naval mines while flying at 1,000 feet above the sea. The

  • Baseball: Air Force announces 2007 schedule

    The Air Force Academy baseball team is slated to take on 18 different opponents in a 53-game schedule for the 2007 season. The Falcons open the season Feb. 3 hosting Colorado Christian. Air Force is slated to play 22 home games, and 28 games total in Colorado. Highlights of the non-conference season

  • Latest Roll Call focuses critical eye on responsible conduct

    This week's Roll Call directs Airmen to take responsibility for their actions, both on-and off-duty. Airmen are ambassadors for both their service and America -- no matter where they are stationed, TDY or deployed. Simply put, the actions of Airmen have far-reaching ramifications. When Airmen make

  • Travis trains Pacific AMC crews to maintain KC-10s

    In an effort to streamline KC-10 Extender maintenance responsibilities in the Pacific theater, the 60th Maintenance Operations Squadron here developed a two-phase course designed to teach enroute maintainers how to recover aircraft and perform basic maintenance tasks to help move aircraft through

  • Evaluation board application process moves to virtual MPF

    Active-duty Airmen seeking a correction to or removal of an evaluation report may initiate an appeal to the Evaluation Reports Appeal Board through the virtual Military Personnel Flight effective Jan. 22. Airmen may choose to apply to the board to seek a correction or removal of a performance

  • Software maintainers help warfighters achieve mission

    While the E-8 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System, or Joint STARS, platform is celebrated for its ability to provide air commanders with real-time ground surveillance in support of attack operations, the surveillance giant couldn't complete its mission without the support from Airmen of

  • What AFSO 21 means

    Dr. Ronald C. Ritter, the special assistant for Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century, recently visited Pacific Air Forces headquarters to review AFSO 21 strategies in the command. "AFSO 21 is important to us all," Dr. Ritter said. "It is our initiative and a way to continue our long

  • Dashboard tool allows snapshot of organizational status

    Air Force officials are rolling out a Web-based financial management tool this summer designed to help commanders and other Air Force decision makers.By summer 2007, the Air Force's Financial Management Dashboard will be available online through the Air Force Portal.This is a Web-based "dashboard"

  • JPADS continues 'revolution in airdrop technology'

    Since October 2005, the Air Mobility Warfare Center here has partnered in an effort to revolutionize the way the Air Force does its airlift airdrops in the expeditionary environment and around the globe with the Joint Precision Air Drop System, or JPADS, initiative."When it was said to make this

  • Weather officer to compete in Antarctic Marathon

    Running a marathon would be enough of a challenge for most people, but an Air Force weather officer here wants to take things to the next level by competing in a marathon in Antarctica. Maj. Michael Mills of the Headquarters Air Force Weather Plans and Requirement Division is running 160 miles a

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 18

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 18.In Afghanistan Jan. 17, Air Force B-1 Lancers provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with enemy forces in Carlson, Wama and Sangin. Air Force F-15

  • AFSO 21 event targets transportation efficiency

    Air Force leaders continue to shape wartime work processes by applying Lean principles and techniques from Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century.Functional-area experts representing the majority of the combatant commanders as well as the Joint Staff met here Jan. 8 to 12 to look at

  • MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle crashes

    A U.S. Central Command Air Forces MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle crashed five miles southeast of Baghdad International Airport Jan. 17 at approximately 11:35 p.m. local Baghdad time. The crash site is an unpopulated area and no collateral damage or injuries occurred.The aircraft is a

  • Two Korean Air jets divert to Kunsan

    Two Boeing 747 aircraft made emergency landings here Jan. 17 after Incheon International Airport's runway closed for low visibility due to fog.The two Korean Air jets -- one laden with cargo, the other with passengers -- were greeted by 8th Fighter Wing leaders and support personnel with open

  • Position coaching staff for Air Force football now complete

    Air Force head football coach Troy Calhoun completed his position coaching staff Jan. 17 with the hiring of Clay Hendrix and the retention of Ron Burton. Hendrix will coach the offensive line while Burton will remain as the defensive line coach.Hendrix comes to Air Force after completing 19 seasons

  • Career enlisted aviator positions open

    Opportunities are currently available for Airmen who wish to become career enlisted aviators. The Air Force has immediate openings for flight engineers, loadmasters, airborne mission systems, flight attendants, and airborne crypto logic linguists.First-term Airmen who have completed half of their

  • Charleston squadron helps build 'a room for Phillip'

    The Airmen of the Air Force Reserve Command's 300th Airlift Squadron have a history of reaching out to those in need. Each year, the squadron donates time and money to a deserving person or family. This year the 300th AS is doing more to aid a little boy who needs some big help. Led by Master Sgt.

  • General serves as Misawa City's 'Mayor for a Day'

    The 35th Fighter Wing commander was appointed as Misawa City's "Mayor for a Day" Jan. 12 as a way to promote cultural awareness and increase goodwill. Misawa City Mayor Shigeyoshi Suzuki offered the opportunity to Brig. Gen. Sam Angelella, 35th FW commander, and thanked the general for a job

  • Defense news, information now customized for mobile devices

    Defense Department news releases, articles and other information are now available in a new format that is customized for easier viewing on BlackBerries and other mobile devices, officials said. The new, mobile-device-friendly format can be accessed at www.dod.mil/mobile, officials affiliated with

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 17

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 17. In Afghanistan Jan. 16, 19 close-air support missions were flown in support of Afghan and International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols. Additionally,

  • Wing begins new chapter with F-15E

    Continuing to show a strong force and a visible presence in Afghanistan, the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing added a new capability to its inventory Jan. 14. With more than 200 Airmen supporting its mission, the F-15E Strike Eagle deployed from the 391st Fighter Squadron at Mountain Home Air Force

  • Deceased Ramstein Airman identified

    An Airman who died in downtown Kaiserslautern early Jan. 14 has been identified as Senior Airman Jordanis Michael McElroy-Ramirez.The 20-year-old Airman from Dale, Texas, was assigned to the 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.The cause of death is under investigation. Additional information will be

  • National Guard rolls out for yet another Midwest storm

    More than 600 Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen in Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas have been called out in response to the latest in a series of severe winter storms to blanket the Midwest with snow and ice.Missouri was among the hardest-hit states during the Martin Luther King Day holiday weekend.

  • Eielson dental goes digital

    With the invention of the Internet, information can be accessed at the click of a button. Songs, pictures and computer files can be placed on flash drives that fit in the palm of a hand. Technological advancements are ongoing and the world has proven time and time again, if it can be imagined, it

  • Mountain Home Airmen earn Bronze Stars, Army medals

    Four members of the 366th Civil Engineer Squadron earned the U.S. military's fourth-highest award during a ceremony Jan. 8 for their individual bravery and heroism while serving in Iraq. Capt. Stephanie Root, Tech. Sgt. David Fitzgerald, Staff Sgt. Michael Pray and Staff Sgt. Sjon Higgins earned the

  • Keesler's Flying Jennies receive final C-130J-30

    A crew from Air Force Reserve Command's 815th Airlift Squadron recently delivered the unit's final C-130J-30 aircraft here after accepting it from the manufacturer at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga. Maj. Gen. Hanferd "Rusty" J. Moen Jr. piloted the aircraft from Georgia to Mississippi Jan. 9. General

  • DOD releases results of 2005 health-related behaviors survey

    The Department of Defense announced results Jan. 12 of its "2005 Survey of Health Related Behaviors Among Active Duty Military Personnel." The findings show notable decreases in the use of cigarettes and illegal drugs since initiation of the surveys in 1980 and progress toward meeting selected

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 15

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 15.In Afghanistan Jan. 14, an Air Force B-1 Lancer provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with enemy forces near Qurya. The B-1 expended guided bomb

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 16

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 16. In Afghanistan Jan. 15, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and a B-1B Lancer provided close-air support to International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with enemy forces near Qurya. The B-1B

  • 'HOA Flex' channels supplies to military trainers

    U.S. servicemembers at three remote camps in the Horn of Africa depend on Air Force airlift to bring them life-sustaining supplies. These isolated sites, known as contingency operating locations, are scattered across a desolate and austere terrain two-thirds the size of the United States. This is

  • Air Force Afterburner thrills monster truck fans at Alamodome

    Afterburner, the Air Force-sponsored monster truck, thrilled 50,000 Monster Jam fans with car-crushing, high-jumping, raw engine power Jan. 13 at San Antonio's Alamodome. 2007 marks the second season the Air Force sponsors Afterburner, a high-powered 2006 monster truck equipped with a 1,465 HP, 540

  • The nose knows: four-legged 'troops' sniff out explosives

    Two of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team's most valuable assets never talk about work, preferring to let the results speak for themselves. Even with their quiet demeanor, they have uncovered numerous weapons caches and explosives, and have become two of the most popular members of the unit. They are the

  • Hub-and-spoke missions provide tactical airlift in Iraq

    Whether it's operating from rough dirt strips or dropping off troops and equipment into hostile areas, C-130 Hercules keep convoys off the road in Iraq through airpower. Members of the 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron deployed from Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., fly C-130 hub-and-spoke

  • Winter storm alerts Texas National Guard

    Governor Rick Perry has alerted the Texas National Guard to assist during the winter storm expected to sweep through Texas the evening of Jan. 14 and last through Jan. 15, according to officials in Austin, Texas.Two-hundred-and-fifty Guard members and 75 Humvees are standing by to support the

  • Hockey: Air Force ties Holy Cross again

    For the second consecutive night, Air Force and Holy Cross skated to a 2-2 overtime tie in an Atlantic Hockey Association game Jan. 13 at the Hart Center in Worcester, Mass. "From the drop of the puck to the end of overtime, it was a great college hockey game," head coach Frank Serratore said. "The

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 14

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 14.In Afghanistan Jan. 13, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and a B-1B Lancer provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force troops in contact with enemy forces near forward operating base

  • Ramstein Airman dies

    An Airman assigned here died in nearby Kaiserslautern at approximately 2:30 a.m. Jan. 14. The cause of death has not been determined at this time. The name of the Airman is being withheld until next of kin has been notified. The incident is under investigation. Comment on this story (comments may be

  • Eielson F-16s participating in Commando Sling

    Six F-16C/D Fighting Falcons from the 354th Fighter Wing at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, are deployed to Singapore to participate in the second iteration of Exercise Commando Sling, which began Jan. 8 and runs through Jan. 26.An annual series of exercises, Commando Sling began in 1990 to provide

  • Team Kadena members deploy

    More than 600 Airmen from here have begun deploying as part of Air Expeditionary Force Cycles 5 and 6 to various locations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to support the war on terrorism. As Airmen prepared to board commercial aircraft for flights to locations in Iraq and Qatar,

  • Gymnastics: Cadets shine in Rocky Mountain Open

    With freshmen Brennan Wolford and Garrett Canter earning individual honors, the Air Force men's gymnastics team concluded a successful afternoon of competition Jan. 13 here at the event finals of the Rocky Mountain Open. Wolford, from Thornville, Ohio, posted a career-best 8.200 on the floor

  • Sheppard implements new phase program

    Airmen here in technical training are enjoying more freedom and responsibility as Air Education and Training Command transitions into its new phase program. The new program, which took effect after Airmen returned from holiday exodus, became fully functional across Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas,

  • Air Force Reserve to form associate unit at Eglin

    As part of Air Force total force integration initiatives, the Air Force Reserve Command is teaming up with Air Combat Command to establish an associate unit at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The process is tentatively scheduled to start in fiscal 2008. Plans propose support of the 53rd Wing and its test

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 13

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 13.In Afghanistan Jan. 12, an Air Force B-1B Lancer provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force troops in contact with enemy forces near Orgun-e. The B-1B expended guided bomb unit-31s on

  • 8.2 magnitude quake sparks tsunami warning

    For the second time in three months, servicemembers and families here found themselves under the threat of a tsunami after an 8.2-magnitude earthquake struck east of the Kuril Islands in the Pacific Ocean Jan. 13, sparking tsunami warnings and shaking buildings. "I haven't been in an earthquake

  • Airmen deploy to Andersen for AEF rotation

    Eighty-three Airmen from both Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., and MacDill AFB, Fla., deployed recently to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam to form the 506th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron during a 120-day Air Expeditionary Force deployment cycle. "We have come and taken over for the Guard,"

  • Hill memorializes bombing victims

    Eyes swelled, tears fell and uniforms were moistened, yet Airmen who gathered here Jan. 12 were comforted as they paid tribute, expressed high regard, and refused to allow anything to dampen the memory of their comrades killed earlier this week in Iraq.Tech. Sgt. Timothy Weiner, Senior Airman Daniel

  • Academy cadet invited to gymnastics winter cup challenge

    A U.S. Air Force Academy junior was selected to participate in the Winter Cup Challenge this February, USA Gymnastics announced Jan. 10. Cadet Greg Stine of Houston is just the third academy gymnast in the history of the program to participate at the nationally-recognized meet, which will help

  • Patient care system aims to reduce medical errors

    The Defense Department has trained thousands of military health care providers to employ a quality management system that's designed to minimize human errors in hospital operating and delivery rooms, a senior defense official said Jan. 11. The Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and

  • Airmen can participate in official rifle match

    Air Force active-duty, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard members have a chance to test their marksmanship skills at an upcoming rifle match here. The base serves as host to the rifle match Feb. 26 through March 1 at the firing range complex in Area A. The competition can accommodate as many

  • Unfounded rumors circulating about assignments

    Despite rumors floating around to the contrary, Air Force Personnel Center officials said there is no assignment freeze. The question of "Where's my next assignment?" has been common lately, said Master Sgt. Shannon Parker of the Military Personnel Flight here. "I think everyone is concerned because

  • CMSAF thanks Airmen for sacrifices

    In the latest Chief's View, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley took time to thank Airmen and their families for their diligent service. In his weekly message to Airmen, the chief stessed that it's important to take time to recognize the efforts Airmen are making in the war on

  • Red Flag ramps up, F-22 to make debut

    The first Red Flag exercise this year, dubbed "Colonial Flag," is scheduled to begin Jan. 16 at Nellis AFB, marking the 32nd year for Red Flag operations. This is the first of three Red Flags this year, and the F-22 Raptor is participating for the first time.More than 200 aircraft and about 5,200

  • Spangdahlem crew keeps pilots ready for action

    The 52nd Fighter Wing's Saber Control crew at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, has one mission: To enhance the training of pilots stationed there. The unit accomplishes this task by training pilots in an environment that mimics what they see and who they talk to while deployed. "In air time battle,

  • Pararescue jumpers train 'that others may live'

    They train for the worst things imaginable and respond to the unthinkable. Paraescue jumpers, or PJs, can be found in the mountains of Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa or the streets of Iraq -- prepared to undertake any situation to recover a servicemember. At Camp Lemonier, a small group of PJs from

  • Air assets support Afghanistan strike

    Numerous air assets from U.S. Central Command supported NATO and Afghan forces in Afghanistan's Paktika province Jan. 10, killing as many as 150 insurgents, U.S. Central Command officials said. U. S. Central Command Air Forces supported Afghan National Army and International Security Assistance

  • 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

  • Officials name top athletes for 2006

    Air Force Services Agency officials have chosen Capt. Linda Jeffery as Air Force Female Athlete of the Year and Master Sgt. Martin Bedford as Male Athlete of the Year for 2006. Captain Jeffery won the All-Air Force Women's Golf Championship and went on to lead the Air Force team to the 2006 Armed

  • Fallen EOD Airmen remembered during Sather memorial

    A memorial Jan. 10 honored the lives of three 447th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal Airmen killed in the line of duty Jan. 7. The members of "Team Lima" -- Tech. Sgt. Timothy Weiner, Senior Airman Daniel Miller, and Senior Airman Elizabeth Loncki -- all deployed

  • Many vets may be missing out on special compensation

    Just because an Air Force veteran was not injured storming the beaches at Normandy does not mean he or she may not be entitled to receive combat-related special compensation, or CRSC. Many Air Force veterans may be missing out on hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars every month because they have

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 12

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 12. In Afghanistan Jan 11, an Air Force B-1B Lancer and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Gereshk.

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 11

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 11.In Afghanistan Jan. 10, Air Force B1-B Lancers and Royal Air Force GR-7s provided close-air support to International Security Assistance Force troops in contact with enemy forces near Gereshk. The B1-Bs expended

  • Latest Roll Call explains force shaping initiatives

    In this week's Roll Call, Air Force leaders discuss force shaping and define the measures being taken by the service to meet end-strength numbers. Air Force leaders are in the process of reducing the service's current size by 40,000 full-time equivalent positions through a variety of programs

  • 'Commando' Airmen continue heritage into future

    Keeping a promise is important to many people. But, keeping the Air Commando's promise -- to provide precise and reliable Air Force special operations air power, any time, any place -- is the motto Airmen of the 1st Special Operations Wing live by. The wing is the only active duty special operations

  • 55th Wing marks 6,000 days in Southwest Asia

    For the men and women assigned to the 55th Wing, an intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and command and control unit here, there's a saying about their 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year mission of supporting intelligence operations somewhere around the world. "The sun never sets on the

  • Commanders lead unconventional forces

    A distinguished list of 50 people have commanded the forces who support airpower by unconventional means. From landing gliders with farm animals behind enemy lines in Burma, to today's inclandestine night operations to support the war on terrorism, special operations forces have led the way,

  • December recruiting numbers exceed goals

    Last month's recruiting figures for all military services exceeded goals, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said in testimony Jan. 11 before the House Armed Services Committee."I'm pleased to report that all active branches of the United States military exceeded their recruiting goals for the month

  • 1st Special Operations Wing mission

    The 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Fla., is the Air Force's only active duty special operations wing and falls under the Air Force Special Operations Command. The 1st SOW mission focus is unconventional warfare: counter-terrorism, combat search and rescue, personnel recovery,

  • First C-21 arrives in North Dakota

    The first official 119th Fighter Wing C-21 aircraft arrived Jan. 10 in Fargo.The aircraft marks the unit's transition from the F-16 Fighting Falcon to the C-21 and MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle. "The Happy Hooligans have proven themselves as the best of the best in every mission they have

  • The Air Commandos

    A sign over the doorway of a squat white building near the Hurlburt Field, Fla., runway of Eglin Air Force Base declares, "The Mission of the Air Force is to Fight." (Editor's note: This article is reprinted from Airman Magazine, September 1962.) The men wearing tennis shorts and sneakers, flying

  • Historian revisits wing's past

    The 1st Special Operations Wing has a rich and honored history that began in Burma and continues at Hurlburt Field. The 1st SOW can trace its lineage back to "Project 9" which evolved into the 1st Air Commando Group during World War II. During the Quebec Trident Conference of August 1943, it was

  • Air traffic controllers take on new roles

    Air traffic controllers deployed to Djibouti in the Horn of Africa must sometimes take on new roles in accomplishing the daily mission.During the current deployment, the controllers aren't actually controlling the skies above Camp Lemonier. "We're here in the event there's a communication barrier

  • Engineer gains valuable experience in Afghanistan

    A day in the life of a project engineer fills up pretty quickly. Between meetings and constant walks around the base to survey projects, there's concrete to be poured, gravel to be delivered and contractors needing guidance. This will be the norm for Capt. Dave Lin over the course of his six-month

  • Weather technician trains observers at Afghan outpost

    A battlefield weather Airman assigned to work with Army aviation units recently spent two days training members of the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team to report weather observations. Senior Airman Nathan Fried of the 20th Expeditionary Air Support and Operations Squadron at Bagram Air Base

  • Bush outlines new strategy for course ahead in Iraq

    President Bush's new strategy for Iraq, announced Jan. 10 in a televised speech to the nation, includes more than 20,000 additional U.S. troops on the ground in Baghdad and Anbar province, increased responsibility for the Iraqi government and Iraqi security forces, and more diplomatic and economic

  • More provincial reconstruction teams to stand up in Iraq

    President George W. Bush's new strategy for Iraq includes expanding the number of provincial reconstruction teams from 10 to at least 18 to better support political and economic progress, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said at a news conference Jan. 11.Secretary Rice joined Defense Secretary

  • USAFE commander visits units in England

    The U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander visited the geographically separated units that make up the 501st Combat Support Wing in England Jan. 8 to 10.Gen. William T. Hobbins, accompanied by his wife, Robbin Hobbins, and Chief Master Sgt. Gary Coleman, the USAFE command chief, visited with the 501st

  • Emblem symbolizes wing's mission

    The emblem of the 1st Special Operations Wing symbolizes its 63-year mission and emphasizes that the wing is the single focal point for all Air Force special operations matters.The shield reflects its historic past as the first organization to field limited and unconventional warfare. It was

  • DOD announces changes to Reserve component policy

    Department of Defense officials are changing the way they will manage reserve-component forces, announced Dr. Robert M. Gates, secretary of defense Jan. 11.The first aspect of the policy change will involve the way the department manages deployments of reserve forces. Currently, reserve deployments

  • Reconnaissance aircraft, team reach milestone

    It may not have the stealthy skin of the B-2 Spirit or be able to hover vertically like the CV-22 Osprey, but the RC-135 Rivet Joint is the only aircraft that Airmen can claim to be deployed continuously for 6,000 days. This milestone can be touted by Airmen in the 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance

  • Wolf Pack family embraces Holloman Airmen

    Nearly 300 Airmen from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., and several F-117 Nighthawks arrived at Kunsan AB in January to fulfill U.S. security responsibilities in the Western Pacific.The deployment brings 49th Fighter Wing pilots, maintainers and support Airmen from Holloman AFB to Kunsan AB for the

  • Chief's perspective focuses on Roll Call

    The new Roll Call program is the focus of the latest Enlisted Perspective by Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley.The chief said Airmen can add to their mission effectiveness by increasing their communications, but admits it's not an easy process."We all have access to good

  • Airman receives 2 Purple Hearts

    A Luke AFB sergeant was awarded two Purple Hearts for two separate injuries she received in a span of three months in Iraq.Staff Sgt. Aime Gaona, a 56th Operations Support Squadron intelligence analyst, was serving an eight-month deployment as a weapons intelligence team member of the 732nd

  • Jan. 11 marks 6,000 consecutive days in Southwest Asia

    Most military units rotate through the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in cycles ranging from four months to one year. After each deployment, the squadron returns to its home base for training and reconstitution. But members of the 55th Wing at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., called the

  • Letter to Airmen focuses on 'Excellence in All We Do'

    In the latest Letter to Airmen, Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne discusses the core value of "Excellence in All We Do" and how it relates to Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century.The secretary said he was impressed with the "amazing things" Airmen are accomplishing in the Air

  • International affairs program takes off with larger rated presence

    The chief of staff of the Air Force recently approved a request by Bruce Lemkin, deputy undersecretary of the Air Force for international affairs, to augment rated presence in the International Affairs Specialist program by 109 officers. Gen. T. Michael Moseley announced this will be accomplished by

  • Spouses of deployed Airmen armed with information

    When Airmen leave for a deployment, their spouses are often left at home, and many times are forced to make decisions they've never made before. For months, Misawa's 35th Operations Group has been training to go downrange. But preparing to deploy is more than what happens on the flightline; it's

  • Servicemembers help restore hope in Philippine community

    Servicemembers recently teamed up with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, or AFP, with a two-month project that provided clean water, an elementary school and an adult learning center here.The project is considered a ray of hope for the local citizens, who have been terrorized by numerous

  • SBIRS instructors hold keys to ground floor of new payload

    Future Space Based Infrared System crews will get in on the ground level of Air Force Space Command's most advanced payload when they begin training at the 460th Operations Group's Detachment 1 on Jan. 12. Training on SBIRS' newest satellite will give students a historic chance to involve themselves

  • Involuntary phase for NCO retraining program begins

    Airmen identified as required to retrain must submit a retraining application by Jan. 15 or separate from the Air Force under Phase II of the Air Force Fiscal 2007 Noncommissioned Officer Retraining Program. After meeting the Jan. 15 deadline, Phase II eligibles must choose an Air Force specialty

  • Iraqi participation key to president's new strategy

    President Bush's new strategy in Iraq will hinge on the Iraqi government and security forces stepping up and making decisions they have avoided, a senior White House official said Jan. 10.White House communications director Dan Bartlett said Iraqi leaders have pledged to make these decisions. The

  • New law changes handling procedures for troops' remains

    A new law that took effect Jan. 1 changes the way the remains of servicemembers killed in combat are transported and handled. The 2007 National Defense Authorization Act states that the primary mode of transportation for remains of servicemembers being returned to the U.S. is military aircraft or

  • Hill mourns the loss of 3 Airmen

    Hill AFB leaders reflected on the loss of three Airmen who were killed in Iraq by a car bomb. Tech. Sgt. Timothy R. Weiner, 35, of Tamarack, Fla., Senior Airman Elizabeth A. Loncki, 23, of New Castle, Del., and Senior Airman Daniel B. Miller Jr., 24, of Galesburg, Ill., died in the Jan. 7 explosion

  • Travis, Robins test wireless aircraft intercom system

    For five days, Air Force aircraft maintainers at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., and Robins Air Force Base, Ga., demonstrated the Telephonics TruLink Wireless System at their respective bases to great success. The system demonstration was conducted as part of an initiative dubbed "Wireless Intercom

  • Air Force announces captain selections

    Air Force officials selected 4,003 first lieutenants for promotion from 4,040 officers considered in the 2006C captain selection process. The list of future captains is posted on the Air Force Personnel Center's officer promotions home page.Selection statistics for in-the-promotion-zone lieutenants

  • Texas National Guard team responds to bird deaths

    In a scene reminiscent of emergency measures seen in cities across the country after 9/11, downtown Austin, Texas, was temporarily blocked to people and traffic so authorities could investigate the unexplained deaths of more than 60 birds Jan. 8. Together with local, state and federal responders,

  • AETC commander addresses training changes

    As part of a visit to Pacific Air Forces here, the commander of Air Education and Training Command discussed training with other countries' air forces. During his visit, Gen. William R. Looney III explained the changing role of the Air Force and how training is changing to accommodate today's

  • 2007 year of 'PACAF Resilient Warrior'

    The commander of Pacific Air Forces has designated 2007 as the year of the "PACAF Resilient Warrior." The PACAF Resilient Warrior initiative is a 12-month campaign focusing on 11 critical attributes of success designed to enhance pride in Airmen, build resilience and reinforce responsible

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 10

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 10.In Afghanistan Jan. 9, an Air Force B-1 Lancer conducted a strike on Taliban extremists near Garmsir. The B-1 expended guided bomb unit-38s on enemy targets. A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and a B-1 provided close-air

  • F-22 scheduled for first overseas deployment

    Air Force officials are scheduled to deploy a squadron of F-22 Raptors to Kadena Air Base, Japan, as part of U.S. Pacific Command's Theater Security Package in the Western Pacific in early 2007. This will be the first overseas deployment for the Air Force's newest fighter. The F-22 is a

  • Pacific Airmen deploy in support of war on terrorism

    Several Pacific Air Forces Airmen left Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 8 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Many of the Airmen are from Kadena's 18th Civil Engineering and Logistics Readiness squadrons. The deployment also included Airmen from Yokota Air Base and Misawa Air Base, Japan. Some of the