HomeNews

NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • Defense Department to review military awards program

    In an effort to provide clarity in awards standards across the military services, the Defense Department has begun a comprehensive review of military awards and decorations, a DOD official said here yesterday. This routine review will result in revision of DOD Instruction 1348.33-M, the Manual of

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 22

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 22. In Afghanistan Sept. 21, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, an MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle, Navy F/A-18 Hornets and Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided close air support for Coalition troops in

  • PT gear in high demand at clothing sales stores

    For the first time in the Air Force's 59 year history, Airmen reporting for physical training must show up in the same gear beginning Oct. 1. But while several agencies have been preparing for this change for some time, the last-minute rush on the new mandatory gear is creating an overwhelming

  • Airmen visit, share stories with veterans

    More than 30 Airmen from Andrews Air Force Base and Fort George G. Meade, Md., visited Charlotte Hall Veterans Home here Sept. 18.The group, who ranged in rank from airman to lieutenant colonel, spent time visiting and sharing stories with the veterans. "The visit was nice and relaxed," said Staff

  • Chief McKinley offers AFSO 21 perspective

    In his latest "Enlisted Perspective," Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley discusses Air Force Smart Operations 21 and how Airmen should explore its processes."Air Force Smart Operations 21 gives us the tools we need to shed unneeded work and make sure every Airman's efforts are

  • C-130 modernization program passes key milestone

    The first C-130 Avionics Modernization Program aircraft, designated H2, successfully completed its first flight Sept. 19 in San Antonio. The flight represented a key milestone in the most comprehensive C-130 avionics modernization effort to date. The C-130 AMP program is managed by the Aeronautical

  • Heroism earns Airman prestigious award

    An NCO from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., received the Keeper of the Flame Award Sept. 20 for his efforts in fighting the war on terrorism from the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.Tech. Sgt. Stephen Achey, a 682nd Air Support Operations Squadron senior fighter duty technician, received the award

  • MacDill Airmen assist in high-speed chase

    Officials at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., implemented enhanced security procedures at their gates after two teens in a stolen vehicle stormed through the main gate Sept. 20. MacDill security forces helped in apprehending the suspects within 10 minutes after Tampa police began pursuing the teenagers

  • U.S., Colombian governments work to to deter drug trafficking

    While there are thousands of Airmen deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in support of the much publicized and deliberate war against terrorism, there is another group of Airmen deployed to Colombia as part of a separate and almost invisible war altogether. This war is combating illegal air trafficking.

  • AFPC offers guidance to civilians nearing retirement

    The Air Force Personnel Center's Benefits and Entitlement Service Team here encourages civilians who want to retire in the next few years to plan ahead and seek counseling early. Potential retirees should contact BEST at least one year before retirement to receive one-on-one counseling over the

  • Afghanistan's president notes progress, problems

    Although progress has been profound and his country continues to move forward, terrorists have stepped up their efforts to derail that progress, Afghanistan's president told the United Nations General Assembly in New York Sept. 20. "We have seen terrorism rebounding as terrorists have infiltrated

  • TRANSCOM blocks and tackles for military touchdowns

    Providing for the Defense Department's transportation needs isn't the sexiest of military endeavors, the commander of U.S. Transportation Command readily admits. "It's mostly blocking and tackling," said Gen. Norton A. Schwartz. "It's not the most glamorous thing in the world, but the last time I

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 21

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 21.In Afghanistan Sept. 20, an Air Force B-1 Lancer and U.S. Marine Corps AV-8Bs provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Asmar. The B-1 expended a Guided Bomb

  • Upgraded KC-135 Stratotankers integral to joint force

    The Air Force's KC-135 Stratotanker fleet celebrates 50 years this month of enhancing fighter, bomber and cargo aircraft missions. The multi-role tanker's primary mission is to refuel Air Force, sister service and coalition aircraft, but it also fills other jobs, including airlifting cargo,

  • Lajes Field weathers Tropical Storm Gordon

    Tropical Storm Gordon caused no major damage for Airmen at Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal, Sept. 20, when the storm passed further south of the Azores than experts had originally predicted.The storm had winds of 37 to 47 mph with gusts up to 80 mph as it made landfall. Gordon was downgraded to a

  • Converted C-130s make flying, training, maintaining easier

    The C-130 Hercules getting upgraded avionics will give pilots better situational awareness, will be easier to schedule for missions and easier to maintain. The first of some 350 Air Force's C-130s to receive the avionics modernization program conversion -- which upgrades it with new digital displays

  • Power pros 'wire' Wake Island

    The damage assessment crews that deployed here from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii eat a hot meal every night. They use laptop computers to compile data and generate reports, and sometimes, at the end of a particularly long day, they watch a DVD movie on a small television screen before going to bed.

  • C-130 AMP flies for first time

    A C-130 Hercules with a comprehensive avionics modification completed its maiden flight Sept. 19 from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.The C-130 Avionics Modernization Program aircraft provides upgrades for C-130s.The aircraft's new avionics system features digital displays and the Boeing 737

  • Pentagon center courtyard icon, Cold War legend, to be torn down

    The hot dog stand in the Pentagon's center courtyard, which long has been a source of Cold War intrigue, will be torn down in the coming months and replaced with a new eating facility."Rumor has it that during the Cold War the Russians never had any less than two missiles aimed at this hot dog

  • Air Force takes down MySpace profile

    The Air Force discontinued its user profile on the social networking Web site MySpace.com Sept. 19 after concerns that association with inappropriate content might damage the service's reputation. With close to 98 million registered users, MySpace.com was thought to be an ideal venue for the Air

  • New strategic communication tool online

    A recently released publication aims to help Airmen and commanders become better strategic communicators when talking about the Air Force to the public. The Air Force Story, available now on this site, is a high-level summary of information about the Air Force, with topics ranging from heritage to

  • Family support center becomes Airman and Family Readiness Flight

    Air Force family support centers may be called something different these days, but Airmen and their families can still expect the same quality services they have received in the past. "Family centers today support and maintain mission readiness," said Brenda Liston, chief of community support and

  • Strategic communication applies to every Airman

    All Airmen have within themselves the ability to be strategic communicators and share the Air Force story with the public, said the Air Force's director of strategic communication at the Pentagon. "Airmen should be proud of who they are and what they do, and they should be proud to share that with

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 20

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 20. In Afghanistan Sept. 20, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolts, a B-1 Lancer and Navy F/A-18F Hornets provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Tarin Kowt. The A-10s

  • Civil Air Patrol honored for hurricane relief contributions

    The Civil Air Patrol is scheduled to receive the prestigious Summit Award Sept. 20 for its Hurricanes Katrina and Rita disaster relief contributions. This is the highest award the American Society of Association Executives and the Center for Association Leadership's Associations Advance America

  • Course prepares dentists to treat children worldwide

    Officials from the 59th Medical Wing are teaching a Pediatric Dentistry Course to help general dentists from smaller clinics learn new techniques for treating children during the two-week course that ends Sept. 22 at Lackland AFB, Texas.The in-residence course provides training to Air Force dentists

  • B-52 tests alternative jet engine fuel

    The Air Force accomplished another aviation first when a B-52 Stratofortress flew using an alternative fuel Sept. 19. The flight test involved running two of the bomber's engines on a synthetic fuel, made from a 50-50 blend of traditional crude oil-based fuel and a Fischer-Tropsch fuel derived from

  • Lajes Field prepares for Hurricane Gordon

    Airmen at Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal, are preparing for Hurricane Gordon, which forecasters predict will make landfall early Sept. 20. "Primarily we have been focusing on tracking the storm and trying to get as much information together and what the possible direct impact may be to our personnel

  • Illustrators draw on real-life experiences

    In this digital era, a group of distinguished illustrators still volunteer their time and talent to capturing the Air Force mission on canvas. "When you look at an oil painting, you are looking at the (artist's) original thinking," said Keith Ferris. "Digital images can be altered countless times

  • Air Force awards CRAF contracts worth $2.3 billion

    Headquarters Air Mobility Command has awarded its annual contracts that support the Civil Reserve Air Fleet program, worth $2.3 billion in fiscal 2007.Civilian airlines contractually commit to the CRAF to support Department of Defense airlift requirements in emergencies when the need for airlift

  • Manas C-17 crew drops vital cargo in Afghanistan

    The primary mission of the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing is to provide air mobility support to servicemembers in Afghanistan fighting the war on terrorism. Detachment 1 of the 817th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron here enabled that mission with a combat airdrop Sept. 17. The C-17 Globemaster III

  • Program helps families deal with separation

    Studying her family's checkbook, military spouse Desiree Currie of Richmond, Va., faced a dilemma. Her husband had just left for Iraq with the Virginia Air National Guard, leaving behind a second job that paid for their daughter's dance classes. Without the extra money, there could be no

  • Air Force Band streaming music on line

    Chief Master Sgt. David Nokes worked 15 months to take an idea and, with the help of the U.S. Army, turned it into a viable product. The result is Air Force Bandstand, a 24-hour per day Internet streaming radio service that broadcasts music by the Air Force Band and also includes news from the Air

  • Air Force announces OTS selections

    Sixty-two men and women from across America have been selected for Officer Training School, officials here announced Sept. 19.Air Force Recruiting Service officials considered 296 applications as part of Officer Training School Selection Board 06OT04, which selected 62 people for a 21-percent

  • Work begins when boots hit the ground

    To move 35,000 troops in and out of Southwest Asia each month, Airmen and fellow servicemembers are called to action as soon as the crew door opens upon landing. "What separates us from all other air terminals is that here, passengers become troops as soon as the plane lands," said Maj. Charlene

  • Bagram PRT awards $3 million contract

    A landmark road-construction contract that will link all districts in the Kapisa province of Afghanistan was awarded to a local contractor by the Bagram Provincial Reconstruction Team Sept. 18.When the road is complete, Kapisa province will be the only province in Afghanistan with roads connecting

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 19

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 19.In Afghanistan Sept. 18, an Air Force B-1 Lancer, along with Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s and French Air Force M-2000s provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near

  • Wake Island assessment nears completion

    The damage assessment team from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, has moved into its second phase of operations here. After three days of comprehensive walk-through inspections on more than 135 facilities, the team has gathered enough data to begin putting together estimates. When Super Typhoon Ioke

  • Captain pulls missile duty on Air Force birthday

    Capt. Jason Hopkin is so busy monitoring ballistic missile launch codes that he will not have time for cake, ice cream and punch on the Air Force's 59th birthday.He will join the other Airmen around the world who will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism. This war -- like

  • Firefighter hopes for quiet day on Air Force birthday

    Senior Airman Jurle Gaver hopes there are no emergencies to keep him from his cake, ice cream and punch on the Air Force's 59th birthday. The firefighter, like other Airmen around the world, will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism. This war -- like all the ones before --

  • Airman refueling transports on Air Force birthday

    Senior Airman Scott Roe will refuel aircraft on the Air Force's 59th birthday with little hope of eating the usual cake, ice cream and punch. The Airman, like others around the world, will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism. This war -- like all the ones before -- is

  • Front desk work keeps Airman busy on Air Force birthday

    Senior Airman Abbragail Barnett's front desk duties will most likely keep her from enjoying cake, ice cream and punch on the Air Force's 59th birthday. That's nothing new for most Airmen around the world, who will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism. This war -- like all

  • Sergeant and dog on patrol during Air Force birthday

    Staff Sgt. Keith Lippy and his dog, Beni, will be too busy on patrol to have time for cake, ice cream and punch on the Air Force's 59th birthday. The sergeant and his dog will be like Airmen around the world, they will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism. This war -- like

  • Chapel worker attending ball on Air Force birthday

    Senior Airman Melissa Ann Harrington helps chaplains minister to Airmen's needs and will have scant time on the Air Force's 59th birthday for cake, ice cream and punch.Instead, like for the past 15 years, she and other Airmen around the world will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war

  • Sergeant dispatching maintainers on Air Force birthday

    Master Sgt. Robert Potter is busing tracking maintenance teams on the Air Force's 59th birthday, not enjoying cake, ice cream and punch.Instead, like for the past 15 years, he and other Airmen around the world will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism. This war -- like all

  • Report: Pilot error caused B-1 crash

    Pilot error caused a B-1 Lancer to crash while landing on the runway at a forward-deployed location May 8, 2006, according to an aircraft accident investigation report released here Sept. 18. The co-pilot suffered a minor back injury and the other three crew members were not injured. Damage totaled

  • 'Universal' ID card part of federal security upgrades

    New identification cards to be issued to Defense Department employees beginning next month will help standardize workforce identification and security access systems across the government, a senior Defense Department official said here Sept. 15. The new common access card eventually will be issued

  • Airman checking munitions on Air Force birthday

    Senior Airman Robert Shelton has munitions on his plate on the Air Force's 59th birthday instead of the usual cake, ice cream and punch.Because for the past 15 years, he and other Airmen around the world will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism. This war -- like all the

  • Eagles, Falcons face off in air exercise

    Eagles and Falcons, the Air Force's premier "birds of prey," are currently facing off here in a two-week air-to-air exercise called Sentry Aloha.F-15 Eagles from the Hawaii Air National Guard's 199th Fighter Squadron and F-16 Fighting Falcons from the Texas Air National Guard's 149th Fighter Wing

  • Time running out to 'perform your duty'

    "If you can sing, dance or play a musical instrument," said Tom Edwards, chief of Air Force Entertainment and Tops In Blue, "you should apply for the Worldwide Talent Contest. Time is running out." The Worldwide Talent Contest deadline for applications is Oct. 2. The actual competition will begin

  • Young Airman excels, learns at Wake Island

    Super Typhoon Ioke left Wake Island in shambles. The Category 5 storm raged through the atoll Aug. 31, demolishing buildings and tossing around anything that wasn't bolted down -- and many things that were. Assessing the damage includes some repair work, and it's a mission that calls for the most

  • C-17 pilot on standby on Air Force birthday

    Capt. Carl Miller could be flying his transport aircraft instead of celebrating the Air Force's birthday with the cake, ice cream and punch.Because, like for the past 15 years, he and other Airmen around the world will report to work this day to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism. This

  • Crew chief keeps B-1s flying on Air Force birthday

    Airman 1st Class Jonathan Termun is keeping B-1 Lancers flying on the Air Force's 59th birthday, with no time for cake, ice cream and punch. Because, like for the past 15 years, he and other Airmen around the world will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism. This war --

  • Maintainers improving system through AFSO 21

    If you could reduce the number of steps an Airman in the 92nd Maintenance Squadron's Periodic Inspection Element has to climb every day, you could give him back a lot of time. It would also be an excellent example of Air Force Smart Operations 21 in action. Until recently, working inside the cargo

  • Raptor pilot training on Air Force birthday

    Capt. Daniel Arkema will be flying the Air Force's newest fighter on the service's birthday -- not eating cake and ice cream and drinking punch. Instead, like for the past 15 years, he and other Airmen around the world will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism. This war --

  • PGA champions visit Pentagon

    Members of the Professional Golfers Association and their spouses toured the Pentagon and Walter Reed Army Medical Center here Sept. 17 as part of their visit to the nation's capital. Tom Lehman,captain of the 2006 U.S. Ryder Cup team, and several other leading PGA members visited with Lt. Gen.

  • Air Force birthday just another day on the job

    Senior Airman Delbert Coburn Jr. will be up to his neck in wiring instead of celebrating the Air Force's 59th birthday with the usual cake, ice cream and punch. Just like for the past 15 years, he and other Airmen around the world will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism.

  • Air Force unveils new advertising campaign

    The Air Force unveiled an innovative television and online advertising campaign Sept. 18 aimed at giving teens and Internet users a realistic view of life in the military. The "Do Something Amazing" campaign debuts the same day the Air Force celebrates its 59th year as a service. It is also being

  • CENTAF releases airpower summaries for Sept. 16-18

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summaries for Sept. 16 through 18.Sept. 16In Afghanistan Sept. 15, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and a B-1 Lancer provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Khowst. Marine Corps AV-8Bs

  • Charleston photojournalist featured on national magazine

    An aerial combat photojournalist with the 1st Combat Camera Squadron here will be featured on the cover of a national professional women's magazine. Staff Sgt. Stacy Pearsall's self-portrait flying in a helicopter over Iraq in 2003 was chosen for the cover of the October issue of Pink, which hits

  • Sergeant filling prescriptions on Air Force birthday

    Tech. Sgt. Brenda Martinez-Lashley will be filling prescriptions instead of eating cake, ice cream and punch on the Air Force's 59th birthday. Like for the past 15 years, she and other Airmen around the world will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism. This war -- like all

  • Flight nurse on medevac duty on Air Force birthday

    First Lt. John Rinaldo will be on aeromedical evacuation duty on the Air Force's 59th birthday and will not have much time to celebrate with the cake, ice cream and punch. Instead, like for the past 15 years, he and other Airmen around the world will report to work to fight or support the ongoing

  • Sergeant moving passengers on Air Force birthday

    The Air Force is 59 years old today. But Staff Sgt. Robert Thomas will not have much time to celebrate with the cake, ice cream and punch usually associated with birthdays. Instead, like for the past 15 years, he and other Airmen around the world will report to work to fight or support the ongoing

  • Secretary, chief send Air Force birthday message

    The following is a message from Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley on the Air Force's 59th birthday Sept. 18. "Over the course of the past 59 years, the United States Air Force has established itself as the dominant force in air, space

  • Maintainer spends Air Force birthday on flightline

    The Air Force is 59 years old today. But Tech. Sgt. Tim Scheaffer will not have time to celebrate with the cake, ice cream and punch usually associated with birthdays. Instead, like for the past 15 years, he and other Airmen around the world will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on

  • Airmen piece together Wake Island connectivity puzzle

    Situated about 2,300 miles west of Honolulu and 2,000 miles southeast of Tokyo, Wake Island sits alone in the Pacific Ocean. In a place this remote, and this small -- its three coral islets contain a total land area of about 3 square miles -- communication with the outside world is imperative. When

  • Spangdahlem F-16 was in controlled crash landing

    The F-16 Fighting Falcon that crashed near Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, had a landing gear problem that forced its pilot to do a controlled crash landing. The crash was not an accident, 52nd Fighter Wing commander Col. Darryl Roberson said. The colonel held a press conference Sept. 16 near the

  • Airman, Soldier take top Air Force marathon races

    An Air Force doctor and an Army helicopter crew chief won the top spots in the 10th Annual Air Force Marathon at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, on Sept. 16. The Air Force Running Team's Mark Cucuzzella crossed the finish line in 2:31:47 to win his first full marathon men's division title.

  • Tigers give Falcons flight

    Like an experienced pit crew, the 332d Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft maintenance unit -- the Tiger -- keeps the F-16 Fighting Falcons of the 332d Expeditionary Fighter Squadron in top form. The crew chiefs, back shops and support Airmen in the Tiger aircraft maintenance

  • Airmen compete in training challenge

    Airmen from nine major commands gathered here this week to compete and train in the CBRN Challenge. The challenge, which covers chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear hazards, is being held for the first time as an Air Force-wide event. The week-long event ends Sept. 15 with a banquet and

  • 'Bone' makes evolving mark on war on terrorism

    It can strike at a moment's notice. It is a lethal injection for the war on terrorism. It is a combat commander' s weapon of choice. The B-1B Lancer, sometimes called the "Bone," has made a name for itself for nearly 20 years and continues to make its mark in the fight for freedom. Since the war

  • Army vet recalls horrors of POW camp

    Dec. 23, 1944. "It was the saddest day of my life," said Guillermo Serrano. It was a numbingly cold night with Christmas Eve just hours away when young Army Private Serrano was captured and imprisoned by Germans during the early stages of World War II's Battle of the Bulge. The battle began Dec. 16,

  • Former POWs carry on American resolve

    Americans honored the nation's patriots Sept. 15 during National POW/MIA Recognition Day. They took part in ceremonies, parades and observances held across the country on military installations, ships at sea, veterans' facilities and the Pentagon. This day commemorated America's past patriots still

  • CMSAF McKinley gets firsthand look at Offutt missions

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney McKinley met with Airmen here and saw firsthand the diverse missions accomplished in support of the nation's defense. While at Offutt AFB Sept. 5 to 8, the chief took the opportunity to speak at an "all hands call" at U.S. Strategic Command and an enlisted

  • Reservists honored for rescue efforts

    More than 40 members of the 943rd Rescue Group here were honored Sept. 10 here for their service during rescue efforts following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.Members of the 305th and 306th Rescue Squadrons, 943rd Maintenance and other support units were honored by military leaders and public

  • Space unit to move from Cheyenne Mountain

    The Space Control Center, operated by the 1st Space Control Squadron, is transferring its operations from Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Colo., to the Joint Space Operations Center at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.The move is part of an effort to enhance mission effectiveness and increase

  • Officials provide update on F-16 crash

    Officials at the 52nd Fighter Wing here have released additional information about the crash of the F-16 Fighting Falcon near the town of Oberkail, Germany, Sept. 14.The F-16 pilot, 1st Lt. Trevor Merrell, 28, from the 22nd Fighter Squadron at Spangdahlem AB, ejected safely from the

  • Airmen add up damage at Wake Island

    Airmen from the 15th Civil Engineer Squadron and the 15th Communications Squadron from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, are working around the clock to provide accurate estimates of the storm damage on Wake Island caused by Super Typhoon Ioke. Super Typhoon Ioke brought 155 mph winds and 190 mph gusts

  • AFIT Class of September 2006 graduates

    More than 40 scientists, engineers and management specialists are the latest recipients of graduate and doctoral degrees from the Air Force Institute of Technology.AFIT's Graduate School of Engineering and Management held its September 2006 graduation ceremony Sept. 14 in the Institute's Kenney

  • Denver-area units hold POW/MIA Recognition Day vigil

    To commemorate National POW/MIA Recognition Day, military and civilian employees gathered here Sept. 14 for a 24-hour vigil to remember people listed as prisoners of war or missing in action. The annual ceremony opened with volunteers from the Air Reserve Personnel Center, Defense Finance and

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 15

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 15.In Afghanistan yesterday, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Oruzgan. An Air Force B-1 Lancer provided close-air support for

  • Manas Air Base hosts Kyrgyz president

    The 376th Air Expeditionary Wing and the U.S. Embassy here hosted a remembrance ceremony and a presidential visit Sept. 11. Kurmanbek Bakiev, the president of Kyrgyzstan, was the key speaker on his first visit to the base. During the ceremony, a coalition color guard of Spanish, French, Kyrgyz and

  • Secretary Wynne tells cadets interdependence is future of U.S. military

    Air Force secretary Michael W. Wynne told West Point cadets Sept. 14 they will witness the U.S. military's evolution from maneuver to interdependent warfare. The secretary was at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., for his 40th class reunion. He addressed about 4,000 cadets at the cadet

  • Maj. Jill Metzger arrives home

    The Air Force officer found alive and in good condition after disappearing in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, arrived at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., Sept. 14 at approximately 6 p.m. EDT on an Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. Maj. Jill Metzger was deployed to Manas Air Base as part of an Air

  • Air Force Link highlights Air Force birthday

    The Air Force Link Web site will help the Air Force celebrate its 59th birthday by posting photos Sept. 18 of Airmen on the job around the globe. There will be different photos posted every hour throughout the day to show Americans how their Airmen are celebrating the anniversary -- hard at work

  • U.S. military gives medical equipment to Nicaragua

    U.S. servicemembers from Joint Task Force-Bravo departed Leon, Nicaragua, Sept. 13, leaving more than $185,000 worth of medical equipment and supplies for the hospital where people were being treated after an alcohol-poisoning epidemic claimed the lives of more than 45 people and left hundreds more

  • Dover AFB readies for arrival of C-17s

    Distinguished visitors from around the state gathered together with members of the Dover Air Force Base community Sept. 11 to celebrate the groundbreaking of a new C-17 training facility and the arrival of C-17 Globemaster III aircraft to Dover. The ceremony was a celebration of nearly a decade of

  • Ceremony marks first step for command's relocation

    The Army's Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, or SDDC, took its first official step in relocating from Virginia to Scott Air Force Base, Ill., with the opening of the SDDC advanced team's facility Sept. 12. Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, commander of the U.S. Transportation Command,

  • POW/MIA Recognition Day reaffirms commitment

    As Americans pause to observe POW/MIA Recognition Day Sept. 15, teams of military and civilian experts will be excavating sites in Europe, South Korea, Solomon Islands, Alaska and Hawaii, looking for remains to help identify servicemembers still missing from past wars. Teams from the Joint POW/MIA

  • DOD schools administrator named principal of year

    An administrator in a Defense Department school in Germany was named Sept. 11 as the 2007 National Principal of the Year for Middle Schools. Dr. Ellen Minette of Heidelberg Middle School received the award from the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the Metropolitan Life

  • Changes to acquisition processes reduce delivery time

    Changes in the Air Force's acquisition community have already resulted in quicker delivery of capability to the warfighter, according to the assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition. The Air Force acquisition community is changing the way it does business to deliver capability faster and

  • KC-135's 50 years of service recognized

    Celebration activities for the KC-135 Stratotanker's 50 years of service culminated in a banquet Sept. 9 at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. More than 400 military and civilian guests, mostly past and present crewmen, maintainers, community leaders and elected

  • 'Reaper' moniker given to MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle

    The Air Force chief of staff announced "Reaper" has been chosen as the name for the MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle. The Air Force is the Department of Defense's executive agent for designating and naming military aerospace vehicles. In the case of the Reaper, Gen. T. Michael Moseley made the final

  • Spangdahlem F-16 crashes

    A 22nd Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed at 1 p.m. local time Sept. 14 near the town of Oberkail, about 10 miles north of this busy fighter base. The pilot ejected safely and is in good condition, said Staff Sgt. Tammie Moore, a spokesperson for the 52nd Fighter Wing. The aircraft was on

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 14

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 14.In Afghanistan Sept. 13, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolts provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Oruzgan. The following close-air support requests supported NATO

  • Hickam team begins Wake Island assessment

    Airmen from the 15th Airlift Wing embarked on Day One of their intensive damage assessment here Sept. 14, following the destruction left by Super Typhoon Ioke Aug. 31.The Airmen arrived Sept. 12 on a C-17 Globemaster III from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, and will spend several days gathering the

  • USO to honor service heroes

    The United Service Organizations will present its "Service Member of the Year" Award to an enlisted member from each branch of the armed forces at the 2006 USO World Gala Sept. 28 in Washington, D.C. The award recognizes individuals for extraordinary heroism. This year's recipients are: Staff Sgt.

  • UAV catches anti-Iraqi forces mortar team

    Two men were detained and a small cache discovered after coalition forces observed, with the intelligence gathered from an unmanned aerial vehicle, six men fleeing the origin of an indirect fire attack on the civilians of Khan Bani Sa'ad, south of Baqubah Tuesday. After two mortar rounds impacted

  • First look at Wake: Less damage than feared

    Members of the 36th Contingency Response Group from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, completed their initial assessment of Wake Island Sept. 11, finding the island's runway intact and operational with fuel tanks secure, but runway lights are missing and there is minor damage to the fuels transfer