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  • Air Force team hones search and recovery skills

    Search and recovery team members here practiced their skills in a basewide exercise that included a simulated crash of a C-17 Globemaster III carrying nuclear weapons near the Davis-Monthan AFB runway. The team is tasked with recovering human remains from accident sites. The exercise gave the team

  • Improvised explosive device kills three Hill Airmen

    Three Airmen from Hill AFB were killed Jan. 7 by a car bomb while performing duties in the Baghdad area. The explosion also injured a fourth Airman not assigned to Hill. The Airmen were assigned to the 775th Civil Engineer Squadron's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight. While in Iraq, the Airmen were

  • Wilford Hall medics depart for Iraq

    More than 60 Airmen from the 59th Medical Wing at Wilford Hall Medical Center departed here Jan. 9 in support of the war on terrorism. The deployment sends mobilizing medical Airmen to the Air Force Theater Hospital at Balad Air Base, Iraq, to relieve wing members already there. Wing officials

  • Air Mobility Battlelab combines cargo, passenger loaders

    With a mission to make loading passengers and cargo easier, the Air Mobility Warfare Center's Air Mobility Battlelab came up with an innovative idea using existing technology -- the Halverson Air Stairs Kit, or HASK. The HASK concept is a passenger stairs attachment kit designed to entirely replace

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 9

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 9. In Afghanistan Jan. 8, an Air Force B-1 Lancer provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Asadabad. The B-1 expended guided

  • Winter 2007 quarterly issue of Airman available online

    Read about how Airmen are rebuilding hope by mentoring Iraqi soldiers, see how warfare is evolving thanks to valuable training in the field, discover how Balad hospital is thriving thanks to deployed servicemembers, and learn how one family is receiving much-needed support from the Air Force to care

  • Aircraft attack al Qaeda haven in Somalia

    Air Force AC-130 gunships struck al Qaeda targets in Somalia Jan. 8, news sources reported last night. The operation allegedly hit al Qaeda concentrations in the southern part of the country, but Pentagon officials did not comment. The Navy 5th Fleet moved the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D.

  • Airpower strikes insurgent stronghold in Iraq

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces air and space power supported coalition actions in Operation Iraqi Freedom with F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-15E Strike Eagle and B-1 Lancer aircraft that dropped precision munitions Jan. 8 on a known insurgent stronghold south of Balad Ruz, Iraq. The strike targeted

  • DOD identifies Air Force casualties

    The Department of Defense announced Jan. 8 the death of three Airmen who were killed Jan. 7 by a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device while performing duties in the Baghdad area supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Airmen were assigned to the 775th Civil Engineer Squadron, Hill Air Force

  • PACAF leads major commands in energy conservation

    Pacific Air Forces officials have seen a 17 percent reduction in energy use from fiscal 2003, well on its way to exceeding the Energy Policy Act of 2005's goal of reducing energy consumption by 2 percent each year from 2006 through 2015 for a total of 20 percent. PACAF had the largest energy use

  • Airmen take to the field for combat skills training

    Taking an Airman out of his normal comfort zone and placing him in an environment where he is expected to practice ground combat skills can take time and patience for both the instructor and the student. Airmen at Osan Air Base, South Korea, went through a 19-hour Installation Arming Response course

  • ESGR looking for few good employers

    The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is looking for a few good employers to recognize this year.The committee, in conjunction with the Office of the Secretary of Defense, announced Jan. 8 that it has begun accepting nominations for the 2007 Secretary of Defense

  • U.S. icebreaking ship arrives in McMurdo

    The Coast Guard became part of the Air Force-led Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica Jan. 1 with the arrival of the Cutter Polar Sea at McMurdo Station, Antarctica.Home ported in Seattle, the Polar Sea arrived after a month-long voyage including stops in Honolulu and Sydney, Australia. The

  • Teamwork key to bilateral exchanges at Misawa

    Overcoming obstacles such as language barriers can be difficult. This is something Staff Sgt. Andrew Frasier learned recently when he and six other Airmen from Misawa AB, Japan, came here for a bilateral exchange. One of Sergeant Frasier's responsibilities during the exchange was making sure

  • NORAD chalks up another successful year tracking Santa

    North American Aerospace Defense Command officials wrapped up another successful year of tracking Santa on his annual trip to homes around the world, according to NORAD officials. The 756 volunteers answered 65,355 phone calls between 2 a.m. Christmas Eve and 2 a.m. Christmas Day, said Maj. Stacia

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 8

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 8.In Afghanistan Jan. 7, Air Force B-1 Lancers provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Now Zad and Sangin. The B-1s expended

  • CENTAF releases airpower summaries for Jan. 6 and 7

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 6 and 7. In Afghanistan Jan. 6, a 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 Orgun-e. In

  • Airmen killed during combat operations

    Three Airmen assigned to the 447th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron's Explosive Ordnance Division were killed Jan. 7 by a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device while performing duties in the Baghdad area.Additionally, one Airman was injured in the explosion.The names of the Airmen are being

  • Airmen keep communications running in Ethiopia

    Airmen ensure all communications are operational at a remote camp bordered by grass-hut villages, a dormant volcano and packs of hyenas that roam just outside the gate. Senior Airman Jeremy Cole and Airman 1st Class Steven Brumley are the only Air Force members assigned to Contingency Operating

  • Wrestling: Falcons wrap up competition

    The Air Force wrestling team went 1-3 at the Lone Star Duals Jan. 6, defeating Brown, 18-13, while falling to No. 4 Oklahoma State, No. 1 (Division II) Central Oklahoma and No. 19 Wisconsin. The Falcons are now 2-4 on the season. Air Force began the day against fourth-ranked Oklahoma State. Notching

  • Medical team treats nearly 1,500 African patients

    U.S. troops in Rwanda and Botswana recently built bridges between the U.S. military and the African people by providing medical services to almost 1,500 patients.The troops took part in a U.S. European Command Medical Civilian Assistance Program exercise, one of several events that are a part of the

  • Personnel specialists provide support to deployed Airmen

    "First in, last out" is the battle cry of the Personnel Support for Contingency Operations team, better known as PERSCO. It's definitely the case during a deployment at Balad AB, headquarters to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, when you're responsible for processing more than 7,000 Air Force

  • National Guard to the rescue in 8 states

    Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen in eight states rescued people and hauled hay to livestock following a severe end-of-year winter storm that stretched from America's northern to southern borders. Hundreds of Guard members in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas and Washington

  • Ramstein Airmen transport wounded servicemembers

    Medical Airmen from Germany flew to Iraq Jan. 4 to help protect the lives of wounded servicemembers. The mission of the 791st Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron at Ramstein AB, Germany, provides a lifeline for America's wounded. "We can have them home to definitive medical care in

  • Research officials outline funding process

    Providing U.S. warfighters with a technological edge in battle is a huge responsibility and the staff of the Air Force Office of Scientific Research is actively involved in the process. Each year, AFOSR program mangers evaluate thousands of basic research proposals received from scientists and

  • Air Force band plays final tribute for President Ford

    The U.S. Air Force Band of Flight accompanied by the Air Force Band of Liberty performed in the cold rain Jan. 3 to honor Gerald R. Ford, the 38th U.S. president.Conducting musical performances for state funerals is the Air Force Band of Flight's No. 1 mission, and with the passing of President Ford

  • Latest Roll Call focuses on AFSO 21

    This week's Roll Call features Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century, also known as AFSO 21, which is a program that encourages Airmen to maximize value while minimizing waste. AFSO 21 is about results. Senior leaders have identified the major result areas, which are called "Five North

  • Wings of Blue win national championship

    For the 28th time, the U.S. Air Force Academy's Wings of Blue Competition Parachute Team won the National Collegiate Parachuting Championships held Dec. 27 to Jan. 1 at Lake Wales, Fla.The team set a new national record with 116 points, winning 32 medals, including nine gold.Air Force swept the

  • Panjshir team aids mosque repair

    Thanks to the cooperative efforts of an Afghan village, coalition forces and an engineering firm, a mosque that was in the way of a road construction project here has been repaired. A temporary bridge had to be erected while the permanent bridge across an irrigation canal in Bazarak was being

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 5

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 5.Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and a B-1 Lancer provided close-air support to International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with enemy forces near Orgun-E. Air Force A-10s provided close-air

  • Air Force may hold RIF board if goal not met

    The Air Force will convene an officer reduction in force board in June if it fails to meet its force-shaping goal, said the service's senior most officer for manpower and personnel. "While the goal has been to reduce active-duty end strength through voluntary programs where possible, if at the end

  • Honor Guard gives President Ford final honors

    Like many rapid response teams in the Air Force, the elite U.S. Air Force Honor Guard has to be ready at a moment's notice. When President Gerald R. Ford passed away Dec. 26, the Honor Guard was alerted and organized itself for the events surrounding the funeral of the 38th president. "Once we were

  • Name released of Travis Airman involved in accident

    An Airman assigned to the 60th Security Forces Squadron died in Fairfield, Calif., Jan. 3. Airman 1st Class Sean A. Motoshige, 60th SFS armorer, originally from San Francisco, died from injuries resulting from a four-car traffic accident on east-bound Interstate 80. "The Travis team is deeply

  • Basketball: Air Force falls to Colorado State

    Unable to withstand hot second-half shooting by the Rams, the Air Force women's basketball team dropped its Mountain West Conference opener, 65-56, to Colorado State Jan. 4 at Clune Arena. The Falcons drop to 4-8 on the season, 0-1 in the MWC, while the Rams improve to 6-7, 1-0 in the league.

  • Football: New Air Force coach meets the press

    Air Force head football coach Troy Calhoun met local and regional media Jan. 4 for the first time since becoming the sixth coach in school history Dec. 22. Calhoun, a 1989 graduate of the academy, is the first graduate to hold the position. Calhoun also announced five members of his staff. Brian

  • Americans, Djiboutians build relationships

    Reminiscent of a neglected, one-room schoolhouse, the Horsed Private School of English sits on a dusty, goat-lined road in the Balbala section of Djibouti City, Djibouti. Students pack the schoolhouse and sit on makeshift benches, eagerly waiting for members from Camp Lemonier and the Combined Joint

  • 118th Rose Parade kicks off with silent 'boom'

    Crowds cheered with thunderous applause as the Air Force kicked off its 60th anniversary year with a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber and two F-22As opening the 118th annual Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif., on Jan. 1. Gen. Kevin Chilton, Air Force Space Command commander at Peterson AFB,

  • Space shapes today's front lines

    Its existence is only acknowledged by its absence. It doesn't attract attention, yet it changes our behavior. It is there without asking; thus it is often taken for granted. Theater space operators put the power of space at the fingertips of warfighters. "We are combat integrators," said Maj. Troy

  • Wyoming Air Guard dropping hay for Colorado cattle

    The Wyoming Air National Guard arrived in Pueblo, Colo., on Jan. 3 to begin flying missions to drop hay to stranded Colorado cattle.One C-130 Hercules and 10 Airmen are assisting the Colorado National Guard with feeding cattle in the southeastern corner of the state, near Lamar."Although the

  • Officials announce civil engineer award winners

    The Air Force and three civilian professional associations have announced their 2006 Air Force civil engineer award winners. The awards are sponsored by the Society of American Military Engineers, the National Society of Professional Engineers, the Northeast chapter of the American Association of

  • Security forces Airmen help shape Iraq's future

    They only come inside the wire to eat, sleep and work out. When members of the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron's Detachment 7 go to work, they hit the streets of Baghdad right along side the Iraqi police. "It makes me nervous every time I have to send someone out," said Capt. Ian

  • AFSO 21 continues to improve operations

    Last year, Airmen at Spangdahlem Air Base's propulsion shop had to walk to work. But this year, thanks to Air Force Smart Operations 21, these Airmen don't have to walk for miles each day just to do their jobs. "They told us we walked 10 miles a day just going to our cage to get tools," said Staff

  • USAFE commander awards Air Medals to Danish pilots

    It's not often an American four-star general has the opportunity to present prestigious war medals to coalition partners, but Jan. 2 was a special occasion. Gen. William T. Hobbins, U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, flew to Fighter Wing Skrydstrup, Denmark, to present U.S. Air Medals to 35 Danish

  • Airmen train Iraqi police

    It beats patrolling the flightline and issuing traffic tickets on base. Ask anyone assigned to the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron's Detachment 6 here. They're one of just two Air Force teams doing what they're doing: training Iraqi policemen in the province of Salah ad Din to run a

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 4

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 4. In Afghanistan Jan. 3, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and an Air Force B-1 Lancer provided close-air support for ISAF troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Khowst. The B-1 expended guided bomb unit-31s

  • Registration open for Rodeo 2007

    Registration for Air Mobility Expeditionary Rodeo 2007 is now open through April 2. This year's competition takes place July 22-28 at McChord Air Force Base, Wash.United States Air Force teams can register online on Department of Defense computers at the Rodeo 2007 Web site,

  • Air Force plans to deactivate Willow Grove wing

    Air Force Reserve Command officials briefed congressional leaders today on plans to deactivate the command's 913th Airlift Wing located at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Willow Grove, Pa. The deactivation process would result in personnel authorizations being removed Oct. 1, 2007. The Air

  • Those aging ghosts of Pearl Harbor

    If you are under 30, Dec. 7, 1941, is probably only another date in your history book. The day the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Ho-hum. If you are over 40, the date is one you may never forget. And like everyone else in that age group, you probably have your own story of "what I was doing when I

  • New unit strengthens U.S.-Japan alliance

    More than a year of planning reaches a milestone in strengthening the U.S.-Japan security alliance Jan. 5 with a ceremony activating Detachment 1, 13th Air Force, at Yokota Air Base, Japan.Col. Michael MacWilliam, formerly the 5th AF director of operations and plans, will command the detachment,

  • DLPT 5 now official 'test of record' for 14 languages

    The Department of Defense has made the Defense Language Proficiency Test 5 the official "test of record" for 14 languages effective Jan. 1.The affected languages are: Albanian, Chinese Mandarin, Dari, Greek, Hindi, Iraqi, Korean, Modern Standard Arabic, Norwegian, Pashto, Persian Farsi (lower range

  • Military, Djiboutians communicate through discussion group

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

  • Structural fire trainer saves lives, money

    Airmen with the 35th Civil Engineer Squadron's Fire and Emergency Services Flight here are honing their skills on a new structural fire trainer. The better training not only can translate into less injuries, but also it consolidates a variety of scenarios in one area: putting out fires, working in

  • Congressional delegation visits hydrogen fueling station

    Fifteen congressional delegates visited the hydrogen fueling station at Hickam AFB Dec. 29. Opened in November 2006, the facility is a renewable energy station that is helping the Air Force overcome its dependency on petroleum products by providing an alternate fuel source. The unique Air Force

  • Some South Dakota veterans eligible for bonuses

    The state of South Dakota is paying a veterans' bonus of up to $500 to certain servicemembers.Bonuses are available for servicemembers who:-- were legal residents of the state for at least six months immediately preceding entry into the armed forces.-- are currently on active duty or were honorably

  • Air Force leaders develop strategic view on fuels

    Air Force leaders from major commands met here recently to discuss the service's strategic viewpoint on fuel conservation. As the Department of Defense's greatest fuel consumer, the Air Force must examine every aspect of fuel consumption while maintaining its core competencies and power-projection

  • Airmen receive 2006 intelligence awards

    The Air Force Intelligence Reserve and Alumni organization held its 56th annual holiday awards banquet here recently to recognize individual mobility augmentees, as well as several others, who supported the service's intelligence community throughout the year. The banquet was attended by 160 active

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 3

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 3.In Afghanistan Jan. 2, 47 close-air-support missions were flown in support of International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols. Additionally, 10 Air

  • 2006 a year of transformation for Airmen

    In a year when Air Force operations around the globe helped positively impact countless lives affected by violence, intimidation and natural disaster, 2006 also served as a platform for evaluating how such missions can be accomplished more proficiently by capitalizing on training and technology.

  • Air Force not being stealthy about upgrading B-2 fleet

    The Air Force isn't being stealthy about plans to upgrade its B-2 Spirit fleet; officials say the bomber will need numerous upgrades over its life span. Some upgrades are already complete, but others are planned years, even decades ahead, said Lt. Col. Brian Zembraski, 509th Bomb Wing director of

  • Hydrogen-powered vehicles sign of future

    Along with the increasing number of hybrid vehicles sharing the roadways with traditional fossil-fueled autos, there has also been an increase of hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles on Air Force bases.Hydrogen station officials here say the concept of hydrogen isn't new. NASA has been using the

  • Honor Guard helps lay President Ford to rest

    It's what many Airmen work for, day in and day out -- the chance to actually do what they have been training for, and to carry out their mission to the fullest. For members of the Air Force Honor Guard here at Bolling Air Force Base, this is that day. These honor guardsmen helped the nation pay its

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 2

    United States Central Command Air Forces and coalition partners continue to support NATO and the International Security Assistance Force and the government of Afghanistan to achieve a secure and stable country.Over the course of the new year, airpower will be a key asset for ISAF's goals of

  • Joint operations center keeps funeral plan on track

    Every military operation requires a headquarters, even those that are ceremonial in nature. For state funeral honors of former President Gerald R. Ford, that role is being filled by the Forward Operations Center located in the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel here.A conference room has been transformed into

  • Airmen build future with present mission

    There are many things that go into constructing buildings that servicemembers live and work in while serving in Iraq.In order for offices, dining facilities and dormitories to become a reality, someone drew plans, ordered supplies and constructed every room. That construction responsibility falls on

  • Cheney lauds Ford's service during ceremony

    With military members standing a solemn guard over the flag-draped casket in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on Dec. 30, Vice President Richard B. Cheney eulogized former President Gerald R. Ford. By his pardon of Richard M. Nixon, President Ford prevented Americans from experiencing more political turmoil

  • Volunteerism at heart of medical evacuation mission

    Airmen from the 908th Airlift Wing here have been transporting wounded, injured and sick servicemembers home from Andrews Air Force Base, Md., since September when Air Force Reserve Command took over primary responsibility for stateside aeromedical transportation. Operating from three hubs, located

  • Christmas delivered by air

    Santa employed members of Bagram Air Base this year to help him deliver Christmas to troops deployed to austere locations throughout the theater. In support of Operation Enduring Freedom, there are thousands of troops living in forward operating bases who receive their supplies through various

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 1

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 1. In Afghanistan Dec. 31, coalition aircraft flew a total of 39 close air support missions in support of International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route

  • Serving through the season: Airman 1st Class Jack Smithson III

    With security forces' manning levels already low due to deployments to Iraq, Airman First Class Jack Smithson knew he would work at the main gate on Christmas. It's a job he joined the Air Force to do, as he follows in his father's footsteps. "Sitting in a patrol car is easier duty," Airman Smithson

  • Serving through the season: Senior Airman Ryan Summers

    Of all the things he has done, Senior Airman Ryan Summers believes that working Christmas day was an honor like none other. He is a member of the 341st Security Support Squadron. "Because of what we do, people have the freedom to celebrate whatever holiday they choose. I'm proud to be able to

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 31

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 31. In Afghanistan Dec. 30, Air Force B-1B Lancers and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Lashkar

  • Serving through the season: Tech. Sgt. Tracey Booth

    Having worked in security forces for 11 years, Tech. Sgt. Tracey Booth knows what it's like to work through the holidays. The difference this year is that when his duty hours at work are over, he starts his second job -- playing the role of both mom and dad for four children. Sergeant Booth and his

  • Commissaries ring up increased savings

    Commissary customers are ringing in the new year with record-breaking savings. "Average customer savings for a family of four have risen to nearly $3,000 annually," said Patrick Nixon, the Defense Commissary Agency director and chief executive officer. "As an agency, we always deliver the message

  • Serving through the season: Staff Sgt. Kyna Davis

    Tracking Santa's progress from the North Pole was not the only job a Kadena Airman had this holiday season. As a weather meteorologist from the 33rd Rescue Squadron, she was tasked to forecast weather patterns and brief squadron members for upcoming missions. Staff Sgt. Kyna Davis has been in the

  • Shoppers welcome Operation Holiday Surprise

    Spirits are high during the holiday season, but checking accounts do not always follow suit. So when Sheilah Franklin was preparing to pay for a shopping cart full of groceries at the Ramstein Commissary, she was shocked and pleased by a last-second intervention by Operation Holiday Surprise. Under

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 30

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 30.In Afghanistan Dec. 29, Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers and U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornets provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near

  • Basketball: Falcons come back against Weber State 78-73

    Led by a career-best 26 points from junior Alecia Steele, the Air Force women's basketball team was able to overcome a nine-point halftime deficit to defeat Weber State 78-73 Dec. 30 at Clune Arena here. The Falcons improve to 4-7 on the season, while the Wildcats fall to 5-8. Weber State took

  • Ford's body arrives in Washington

    The body of President Gerald R. Ford received a welcoming 21-gun salute at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Dec. 30 as part of final goodbyes that will be made here to the nation's 38th chief executive. Ford died Dec. 26 at age 93 at his residence in Rancho Mirage, Calif. The fallen commander in chief

  • Serving through the season: Tech. Sgts. Fernando and Flor Richards

    It's a hectic holiday season for many servicemembers, especially for one husband and wife team.Tech. Sergeants Flor and Fernando Richards, mental health technicians at Kadena's Life Skills Center, put their holiday wishes aside for the sake of the Air Force mission. "During the holidays, it's a

  • Military members support Ford funeral

    The Washington portion of the state funeral for former President Gerald R. Ford was held Dec. 30. More than 500 military members supported the California portion of the state funeral for the former president. The military is providing ceremonial service, security and logistical support to honor and

  • Vehicle readiness squadron jumps onboard with AFSO 21

    Airmen everywhere are coming up with new ideas to improve their work areas as part of the Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century program. The Airmen with the 435th Logistics Readiness Squadron here are no different. When Senior Airman Yan Voskanov first came to the squadron, he noticed

  • Medical team goes extra mile for wounded servicemembers

    The importance of the aeromedical evacuation mission cannot be overstated, with aerovac crew members providing advanced life-saving care to wounded servicemembers.Even with providing this care, crew members often go above and beyond to help out their patients. That's how the "Treats for Troops"

  • Serving through the season: Senior Airman Jane Min-Hee Wyatt

    Fighting the war on terrorism knows no season and Kadena Airmen such as Senior Airman Jane Min-Hee Wyatt, an intelligence analyst with the 18th Operations Support Squadron, is either out-processing for an upcoming deployment or on her way to a forward location. The Aurora, Colo., native was hoping

  • PACAF command chief meets with Japanese airmen

    The command chief master sergeant for Pacific Air Forces stopped by Kumagaya Air Base last week to meet with Japanese Air Self Defense Force, or JASDF, members and tour the base.Kumagaya Air Base is home to the Fourth and Second JASDF Technical Training Schools, and serves as their basic training

  • Serving through the season: Air Transportation Specialists

    Many servicemembers take some time off this holiday season, but that's not an option for the men and women serving in Central and Southwest Asia.Air transport specialists like Airmen 1st Class Bryne Tiseth and Lance Chafin spend a lot of time on the flightline helping deliver the supplies and

  • Serving through the season: Airman 1st Class Ricardo Torrez Jr.

    He is asked to save lives and property with no hesitation and he does it no matter what the day, no matter where in the world he is located. Airman 1st Class Ricardo Torrez Jr. is a firefighter with the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron here and this year he is spending his holiday knowing what it means

  • Theater distribution center equips Airmen

    Entering the 376th Expeditionary Theater Distribution Center's issue and return building correlates to walking into a wholesale outfitters store -- all the gear one needs to get through the mission. "The primary purpose of this ETDC is to outfit all battlefield Airmen going downrange to Afghanistan

  • Michigan Guard prepares for former president's burial

    Hundreds of Michigan National Guardsmen are preparing to welcome home President Gerald R. Ford, who died Dec. 26 at age 93 at his residence in Rancho Mirage, Calif. Ford grew up in Grand Rapids, Mich., and will be buried on the grounds of his presidential museum there Jan. 3, after being honored in

  • Wrestling: Air Force concludes Midlands championships

    Six members of the U.S. Air Force Academy wrestling team competed in the 44th Annual Midlands Championships Dec. 29 at Northwestern University. Senior captain Bridger Lord picked up the lone Air Force victory. Lord, competing at 149 pounds, began the day with a 4-0 loss to Purdue University's Mark

  • McGuire Airmen to be honored New Year's Eve

    Two Airmen from here will be honored guests of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg when the ball is dropped at midnight in Times Square on New Year's Eve. First Lt. Erick Saks and Tech. Sgt. Sonya Bulluck were chosen for their contributions to their country, community and the continuing war on

  • Elite Air Force unit transports former president's body

    Airmen from the 89th Airlift Wing at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., will transport the body of former President Gerald R. Ford, a U.S. Navy veteran, as his remains are flown between points in California, Washington and Michigan, Air Force military officers based here said. Ford, the nation's 38th

  • Serving through the season: Staff Sgt. Adam Tisher

    Like the members of any fire department, military or civilian, firefighters are tasked to be on duty 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week, including Christmas. But also like the firefighters of any fire department, the members build a close bond with their co-workers; most become their second families.

  • NCO awarded $10,000 for money saving IDEA

    A New Hampshire Air National Guard sergeant came up with an idea that saved the Air Force thousands of dollars and earned him some cash, too. Tech. Sgt. Frank Stephens was awarded $10,000 through the Air Force Innovative Development through Employee Awareness, or IDEA, program on Nov. 21. The

  • Airmen to provide support for Ford's memorial services

    Airmen from the Air Force Band and Air Force Honor Guard will be involved over the next five days with the memorial services planned for former U.S. President Gerald R. Ford who passed away Dec. 26.Bandmembers from the Air Force Band of Flight out of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and the

  • Serving through the season: Master Sgt. Greg Curtis

    Master Sgt. Greg Curtis may be serving in America's Southwest desert this holiday season, but his plans for the Christmas weekend still included some time on the ice.As the first sergeant for Task Force Yuma, a component of Operation Jump Start, Sergeant Curtis organized a Morale, Welfare and

  • Upgrading the warfighter

    Airmen who wear glasses or contact lenses know how difficult it can be to deploy to an environment riddled with sand and dust. The Wilford Hall Refractive Surgery Center is offering to fix this problem, giving Airmen the chance to surgically correct their vision, with no wait. "If you look at an

  • Patient-loaded C-17 from Iraq 1st to try Ramstein's low-vis landing system

    On Christmas Day, a C-17 Globemaster III departed Iraq carrying 14 patients requiring medical care at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany. Due to a low-ceiling visibility, the C-17 requested the first-ever CAT II instrument landing system approach to a Ramstein runway, just three days after

  • Latest Roll Call focuses on enlisted career development

    This week's Roll Call features an on-line enlisted career development tool designed to provide standardization in every aspect of career progression. My Enlisted Development Plan, or MyEDP, can be accessed from anywhere that Internet service is available. Once an Airman has established an account --

  • Serving through the season: Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Eggel

    Elizabeth Eggel has one more helmet and survival vest to inspect before she can call it a day. But, she'll do the same thing tomorrow and during the rest of the holiday season, ensuring the aircrew equipment is ready to go at a moment's notice. The staff sergeant would like to be at home with her

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 29

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 29. In Afghanistan Dec. 28, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban