Ice blaster saves money, manpower

To remove sealant from the wings of F-16 Fighting Falcons, Airmen here are replacing elbow grease and plastic scrapers with dry ice.The new process, which uses a machine to blast material with dry ice pellets, saves time, money and manpower, and is easy to clean up, said officials from the 574th

C-130 aircrew evacuates girl on Father's Day

When Maj. Wayne Vaughn looked down at the injured 12-year-old girl clinging to life on a litter loaded in his C-130 Hercules, he thought, "How can they do this? How can they try and kill a little girl?" Taliban extremists had bombed a girls school in Herat in eastern Afghanistan on June 18, killing

A simple test can save a life

Many servicemembers know that donating blood can help others, but there is another way to make an even greater difference in someone's life -- donating bone marrow.A staff sergeant from the 730th Air Mobility Squadron here did just that, recently returning to full duty only two weeks after the

CENTAF releases airpower summary for June 21

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for June 21.In Afghanistan June 20, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and a B-1B Lancer provided close-air support for coalition forces taking small-arms fire from Taliban extremists near Tarin Kowt. The B1-B expended

Technicians cut metal waste

Airmen in the 3rd Equipment Maintenance Squadron's metals technology shop are maximizing value while minimizing waste by making what customers need from scratch. On a daily basis, they can produce two-dimensional "parts" for just about any aircraft here."With our computer design software, we can

C-5 still going strong after 38 years

Thirty-eight years after the C-5 Galaxy made its maiden flight on June 30, 1968, it marks another significant milestone. At Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga., on Monday, June 19, the upgraded C-5M made its first flight right on schedule. A rollout ceremony for the first of 111 C-5Ms was held at the

Central Command's mission more than Iraq, Afghanistan

U.S. Central Command is responsible for more than fighting the war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan, and CENTCOM officials emphasize they are not ignoring the challenges in the rest of their area of operations. A senior CENTCOM official, speaking on background June 12, said the major enemy in the

Community at large benefits from space innovation

In the midst of budget cuts and space program cost overruns, the Air Force has found a way to save taxpayers money and, at the same time, increase small satellite launch capability to its maximum potential. It’s called the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle Secondary Payload Adapter, or ESPA, ring.

Hometown crowd roots for U.S.A.

More than 3,000 soccer fans of all ages rooted for U.S.A. by bringing hometown America to Pulaski Park, just a short drive from the stadium where their team tied Italy, 1-1, in a 2006 FIFA World Cup match June 17.They did it with an 11-hour World Cup Fest at the park on Pulaski Barracks.

Air Force announces captain selections

One hundred and thirty-two first lieutenants have been selected for promotion to captain in the chaplain and judge advocate specialties, as well as the nurse, medical science and biomedical science corps. The calendar year 2006 captain selection process considered 132 officers, making it a 100

Robins team gives fast assist to special ops warfighters

When MH-53 Pave Low crews discovered they were more vulnerable to small-arms fire than they thought, they put out a call for help. A team from the 330th Special Operations Support Group, now called the 580th Aircraft Sustainment Group, answered the call. What had alarmed one crew was finding that a

B-2s stay in shape with exercises

The 393rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron has spent the past three weeks refining the skills necessary to maintain the B-2 Spirit, one of the world’s most advanced weapon systems. During exercises Valiant Shield, continuing through June 23, and Northern Edge, which ran from June 5 to 16, B-2 aircrew

Theater leaders discuss different methods of war

Representatives from all the geographic combatant commanders met here June 15 to discuss new ways of affecting change on an adversary involving less force than standard operations, and, in some cases, little or no force at all. U.S. Pacific Command’s Standing Joint Force Headquarters served as host

Air Force Memorial progress 'wows' Airmen

When Staff Sgt. Paula Newman stood at the base of the Air Force Memorial, all she could say was, “Wow!” Senior Airman Henry Hargrove said it “pretty much rocks.” The two 11th Logistics Readiness Squadron Airmen from Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C., were selected to visit the memorial and

CENTAF releases airpower summary for June 20

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for June 20.In Afghanistan June 19, an Air Force B-1B Lancer and MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle conducted precision strikes against anti-coalition forces near Deh Rawood. The B-1B expended several precision-guided

Balancing capability portfolios key to Air Force success

Every day, news headlines tout successes of the U.S. military in Iraq and Afghanistan, but seldom make mention of Air Force contributions. Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. John D. W. Corley told lawmakers and defense industry insiders on Capitol Hill June 14 that that lack of coverage doesn't mean

Edwards team performs second test of small launch vehicle

A 418th Flight Test Squadron team performed the second in a series of tests June 14 by airdropping a 65-foot, 65,000-pound mockup of a booster rocket from a C-17 Globemaster III over the Edwards precision impact range area. The drop, performed at 29,500 feet above sea level, was part of a project

Warfighting integration reduces inaccuracy, inefficiency

Over the next decade, the Air Force will continue to use information technology to leverage the capability of its people and weapons systems. During a conference here June 13, Lt. Gen. Michael W. Peterson, Air Force chief of warfighting integration and chief information officer, told members of the

Squadron monitors sky over Afghanistan

If it’s flying over Afghanistan, Airman 1st Class Kyle Neill will be the first one to notice it. That is, as long as he is on shift as a surveillance technician with the 73rd Expeditionary Air Control Squadron here. Airman Neill's job is to manage data as part of a two-person team in an operations

Mosquitoes in the desert?

There are mosquitoes, along with spiders, snakes, wild dogs and a variety of other animals and plants, at Kirkuk and other deployed locations that can cause Airmen problems. But there are two units here fighting against these lesser-known enemies to the Air Force mission: the 506th Expeditionary

Operation Air Force brings cadets to the fight

Nineteen U.S. Air Force Academy cadets have deployed to Southwest Asia for a month as part of Operation Air Force. The career-broadening program brought a total of 52 senior cadets to three air bases in the region to learn more about what they will do once they receive their commissions. It also

Chief Murray reflects on Air Force career

Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray will retire Oct. 1 after a 29-year career. The chief was at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, on June 16 to help commemorate the 60th anniversary of Air Force basic training. After the ceremony he sat down for an interview with Air Force Radio

AFMC introduces 'Community of Practice' Web site

The Air Force Materiel Command Inspector General is making business easier with a new Community of Practice, or CoP, Web site. The CoP allows IG team members to collaborate with each other at the home station and on the road, said Col. Henry Andrews Jr., inspector general.“It’s a better way

Northern Edge 2006 takes joint operations to next level

Exercise Northern Edge 2006, Alaska's largest joint training exercise, concluded June 16.Nearly 5,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen worked together against a simulated enemy for two weeks, destroying targets on land and in the sea, gaining control of the Alaskan sky and performing

ESC delivers French AWACS capability

Radars on the French Airborne Warning and Control System fleet are now more capable thanks to a recently completed improvement effort managed by the Electronic Systems Center. The French AWACS Radar System Improvement Program concluded this month with the delivery of the fourth and final French E-3F

Core values start with oath

For the Air Force core values program to be effective, those values must be linked to the oath taken when entering military service, said Rabbi Arnold Resnicoff, special assistant to the Air Force secretary and chief of staff for values and vision. "Core values (form) a framework for a vision," he

AFRL awards $8 million contract to Raytheon

The Air Force Research Laboratory has awarded a $7,996,471 contract to Raytheon Systems, Co., of El Segundo, Calif., for a surveillance sensor program.The two-year contract is funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency of Arlington, Va., in support of its Integrated Sensor IS Structure,

CENTAF releases combined airpower summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the combined airpower summary for June 16 to 18.June 18In Afghanistan June 17, an Air Force B-1B Lancer provided close-air support for coalition forces taking small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire from Taliban extremists near Ghazni. The

AFN to air remaining World Cup matches

The American Forces Network Broadcast Center has been granted permission to distribute the full complement of remaining World Cup soccer matches. The permission was arranged through News Corporation and Infront Sports and Media, along with the cooperation of a group of host-country rights holders.

AFPC to notify Airmen affected by VA data theft via e-mail

In an additional effort to help Airmen substantiate their status, the Air Force Personnel Center will e-mail active duty, Guard and Reserve Airmen potentially affected by the Veterans Administration data theft. The center will notify individuals based on the information provided by the VA. This is

Air Force names 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year

Air Force officials have selected the service's top enlisted members, naming the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2006. An Air Force selection board at the Air Force Personnel Center here considered 33 nominees who represented major commands, direct reporting units, field operating agencies and

Smoke-free clinic encourages healthy lifestyle

Encouraging healthy lifestyles is the focus of a new policy at the 36th Medical Group here.A no smoking policy is now in effect for everyone assigned to the 36th MDG while they are on its campus, including the parking spaces adjacent to the clinic. Signs are being erected to request visitors keep

Site dedicated to Pentagon's Sept. 11 victims

In a solemn ceremony under sunny skies, the ground that nearly five years ago was the scene of a catastrophic attack was dedicated June 15 to the memory of those who were killed. Senior Defense Department leaders, Cabinet members, members of Congress, family members, friends and Pentagon employees

Academy grads team up for reality show

In a “quest for a promised hidden treasure,” a team of three former Air Force officers are competing against nine teams on NBC's new adventure series "Treasure Hunters." The team of U.S. Air Force Academy graduates includes husband and wife Matt and Brooke Rillos and their friend Matt Zitzlsperger.

Security forces get lifesaving training

Security forces Airmen here train for missions beyond the scope of their traditional roles. Thanks to the U.S. Army, they now have training that may save someone’s life. Airmen from the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron completed a 40-hour combat lifesaving course.The Airmen learned basic

Medical care in the air

It was only a 30-minute flight from Bagram to Salerno, Afghanistan, and the C-130 Hercules carried four pallets and two passengers. When it returned, that 30-minute flight proved to be just one leg of a longer aeromedical evacuation mission that would eventually take two wounded Soldiers to

Exercise highlights Raptor synergy, joint capabilities

The final mission flies today at Northern Edge 2006, but the majority of the results are already in, and success is the buzzword from Alaska. During the two-week joint service exercise, several scenarios have proven that the interoperability and integration between American assets are stronger than

Andersen prepares for Valiant Shield

Air Force bombers, fighters, tankers and support aircraft from the Pacific theater are arriving and making preparations for Valiant Shield 2006. The U.S. Pacific Command exercise, which runs June 19 to 23, will be conducted in the vicinity of Guam. Valiant Shield focuses on integrated joint training

Zarqawi air strike shows aerial flexibility, general says

The attack that killed Abu Musab al-Zarqawi demonstrates the flexibility that air assets give commanders, officials here said. Brig. Gen. Stephen Hoog, an air planner with Multinational Force Iraq, gave a timeline of the operation that resulted in the death June 7 of the most wanted terrorist in

Pararescuemen chance the extremes

From an altitude of 3,500 feet, Air Force pararescue jumpers, or PJs, leap from a C-130 Hercules in an effort to rescue three victims from the frigid waters of the Kachemak Bay in Alaska. This was one of three training scenarios for PJs deployed to Alaska for Northern Edge 2006. “Alaska’s different

Exercise tests intelligence platform

U.S. Strategic Command and the Air Force are among the government agencies testing the Dynamic Time Critical Warfighting Capability, or DTCWC, platform against realistic threat systems here during Northern Edge 2006. Designed to analyze intelligence and verify its potential accuracy, the DTCWC

CENTAF releases airpower summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for June 16.In Afghanistan June 15, French Mirage fighter aircraft conducted precision strikes on Taliban extremists near Qalat. The Mirages expended guided bomb unit-12 munitions on extremists hiding in a tree line. In a

Scientific researchers review molecular dynamics

The Air Force Office of Scientific Research here completed a periodic review of its molecular dynamics research program during an annual conference last week.More than 90 researchers and scientists attended the 2006 Contractors Meeting in Molecular Dynamics. Organizations represented included the

Gulfport evacuees receive helping hand

It's been more than eight months since Hurricane Katrina displaced thousands of people. Veterans who stayed at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport, Miss., were among those who had to leave. More than 400 of the 600 residents were evacuated to the AFRH here and have been without most of

Lackland honors nine enlisted heroes

Nine enlisted heroes earned honors for their service and sacrifice to the Air Force and the nation during the Basic Military Training Memorialization Ceremony at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. At the June 14 ceremony, the base renamed and dedicated basic military training facilities to nine Airmen

RAF Lakenheath welcomes new mission, aircraft

The first two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters from the 56th Rescue Squadron arrived here from Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland, via a C-17 Globemaster III June 12 and 13. Five aircraft and many operators and maintainers are moving here as part of the reallocation of the Iceland-based unit. “We’re

Officer found guilty in court-martial

An officer charged in the death of his infant son was found guilty on the charge of murder during a court-martial here June 15. After closing arguments, the military judge, Lt. Col. Gary Jackson, deliberated for about 40 minutes and then convicted 2nd Lt. David Valois of murder in violation of

Red Horse keeps planes landing at Kandahar

Runways are essential to any air operation and many of the airfields in Afghanistan, used in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, need improvements. The runway here is being refurbished by cutting it in half length-wise, with crews repairing one side while aircraft land and take off on the other.

JIB communicates Northern Edge 2006 mission

Most people think of men and women in uniform wearing Kevlar vests and armed with rifles when they hear “military.” For the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines working here in the joint information bureau at Exercise Northern Edge 2006, pens, notebooks and cameras are just as critical as their

Tanker Task Force keeps Northern Edge flying

If a driver could fill up the car with gas without stopping, imagine how efficient driving would be. The Tanker Task Force here provides efficient service to drivers in the air at Northern Edge, Alaska’s joint training exercise. Seventeen tankers and 12 total force units from around the country

Air Force releases lists of technical and master sergeant selectees

The promotion list for technical sergeants and master sergeants was publicly released today. The Air Force selected 6,904 staff sergeants for promotion to technical sergeant, and 4,613 technical sergeants for promotion to master sergeant. Complete information is available on the Air Force Personnel

CENTAF releases airpower summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for June 15.In Afghanistan June 14, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and a B-1B Lancer conducted precision strikes on insurgent defensive fighting locations, compounds, cave entrances and troops near Khowst. The aircraft

Hickam honors World War II vets with new C-17

The delivery of the seventh of eight C-17 Globemaster IIIs here June 14 brought 15th Airlift Wing and Pacific Air Forces Airmen together with World War II veterans. The aircraft, christened "The Spirit of 'Go For Broke,'” is a tribute to the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. The 442nd fought in Europe

Air Force announces integration, information award winners

The winners of the Air Force’s annual Warfighting Integration and Chief Information Officer Awards for 2005 have been announced. “Each year, the quality of the nominations we receive shows we have troops at every level of command who continue to excel in conducting warfighter missions around the

International media focus on C-17 training

Australian TV Channel 9 focused its camera June 12 on 12 Royal Australian Air Force C-130 Hercules and CC08 Caribou pilots and loadmasters here receiving transition training to the C-17 Globemaster III. About 3,000 aircrew members are trained here annually, along with 15 to 35 international students

Letter to Airmen focuses on personal financial management

In the latest Letter to Airmen, Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Chief of Staff of the Air Force T. Michael Moseley discuss personal financial management. “Although we often see our professional life in a very disciplined way, we sometimes don't realize how our personal well-being

Hawaii Airmen to deliver health care to Fiji

Pacific Air Forces and 15th Medical Group Airmen left here June 14 on a health care mission to Suva, Fiji, where they will train Fijian military leaders and participate in a humanitarian outreach program. “We’re going to be working with the Fiji Ministry of Health and Fiji School of Medicine to

Minuteman III launch successful

An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from Launch Facility-04 on North Vandenberg at 1:22 a.m. today. The primary purpose of the launch was to assess and demonstrate the operational effectiveness of the Minuteman III weapon system. The missile’s three unarmed

Sijan awards presented at Pentagon

The four Airmen selected to receive the 2005 Lance P. Sijan Air Force Leadership Award were presented their awards at the Pentagon June 13.Lt. Gen. Arthur J. Lichte, Air Force assistant vice chief of staff and director of staff, presented the awards to:-- Lt. Col. Gerald Ven Dange, Defense Contract

Technology offers high-tech patient monitoring

Wilford Hall Medical Center Critical Care Air Transport Team, or CCATT, members are testing technology designed to improve patient care in the air. The latest advancement in remote monitoring capability, the medical heads-up display, or MHUD, was brought here by technicians from the Air Warfare

Space institute begins advanced missile warning course

The National Security Space Institute will conduct the first-of-its-kind missile warning advanced course here July 24. This 13-week course is designed to create experts in the missile warning and defense mission arena. The course will provide in-depth education on missile warning and defense with a

Research lab tests fuel-efficient, flying-wing aircraft

A new aircraft with the potential to get up to 30 percent better fuel mileage because of its unique flying-wing shape is being tested by the Air Force Research Laboratory and industry partners. The prototype blended wing body, or BWB, aircraft is a modified, triangular-shaped aircraft configuration

Joint Prowler team jams at Northern Edge 2006

The sight of four crewmembers climbing out of a Navy EA-6B Prowler here on the flightline during Northern Edge 2006 is not unusual. However, when one of those four crewmembers is carrying the blue flight cap of an Air Force officer instead of Navy khaki, something might be amiss. But that is not the

Quarterly assignment listing available in July

The Enlisted Quarterly Assignment Listing, or EQUAL, will be available July 11 for Airmen returning from overseas and for continental United States mandatory movers from November through January 2007. Airmen need to work through their military personnel flight or their commander's support staff to

AFA names Air Force civilians of year

The winners of the 2006 Air Force Association Outstanding Air Force Civilian of the Year Awards have been announced. The awards recognized the following Air Force civilian employees in their respective categories:-- Civilian Wage Employee: Michael Hartsfield, Seymour-Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. --

CENTAF releases airpower summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for June 14.In Afghanistan June 13, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s conducted precision strikes on Taliban extremists in the open and by a cave entrance near Khowst. The A-10s expended

Today is Flag Day

While July Fourth is traditionally celebrated as our nation’s birthday, June 14 is the day to celebrate its most cherished and recognizable symbol: the American Flag. Today, America recognizes the 229th birthday of Old Glory with its own holiday.  The Continental Congress adopted it as the official

C-5 accident investigation board complete

The results of an investigation into the C-5 Galaxy crash at Dover Air Force Base, Del., on April 3 found that human error was the cause, Air Mobility Command officials released today.The accident investigation board determined the pilots and flight engineers did not properly configure, maneuver and

FOD is Public Enemy No. 1

Tiny objects make big trouble for jet engines -- something smaller than a fingernail can destroy an engine worth hundreds of thousands, even millions, of dollars. Foreign object damage, or FOD, typically occurs when small objects such as hardware fragments from aircraft are ingested into the

Keesler newcomers face family housing hurdles

As this base struggles with housing shortages from Hurricane Katrina's wake, Airmen being assigned here accompanied by family members need to have a plan before they leave their current assignment. Due to Katrina, permission for servicemembers to bring their family members to Keesler has become much

Hurricane Hunters track down Alberto

Air Force reservists from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron’s “Hurricane Hunters” began flying the year’s first storm missions June 10 into Tropical Storm Alberto. The Hurricane Hunters found that the center of the cyclone had abruptly reformed near the deep convection and was relocated some

Chief of staff adds five books to reading list

Officials announced five additions to the Air Force chief of staff reading list June 12. "The books on our reading list link our heritage to the horizon before us,” said Gen. T. Michael Moseley. “They help Airmen better understand our Air Force’s and our nation’s rich military heritage. But they

Air Force urologist receives first-place recognition

An Air Force urologist received first-place recognition for best urologist-in-training scientific paper at the national meeting of the American Urologic Association in Atlanta, an event attended by more than 10,000 international participants. Maj. (Dr.) Kyle Weld is the urology department assistant

CENTAF releases airpower summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for June 12. In Afghanistan June 11, an Air Force MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle and Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s responded to coalition troops in contact with enemy forces near Kandahar. One of the GR-7s expended an

Peterson, Misawa have top large commissaries

The commissary at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., has been selected by the Defense Commissary Agency as the top large commissary in the U.S. The commissary at Misawa Air Base, Japan, was selected as the top large store overseas. There were a total of 48 stores that received awards in this year's

Maintainers keep B-2s soaring during deployment

Maintaining the world’s most advanced multi-role bomber isn’t an easy job. It requires Airmen work long hours to ensure every inch of airframe is ready to launch at a moment’s notice. Anything less would jeopardize the safety of the aircrew, or in the case of this unique aircraft, compromise the

Selective re-enlistment bonus changes for 14 specialties

Air Force officials have announced changes to the selective re-enlistment bonus program. A message from Headquarters Air Force, dated May 24, 2006, indicated changes to the program for 14 Air Force Specialty Codes. Those changes follow a thorough review of the SRB program, and are part of the Air

Airman trains Hollywood actors for 'Transformers' movie

For authentic military aspects, DreamWorks and Paramount Pictures looked no further than Air Force Airmen for the major motion picture production “Transformers.” Actors trained for their individual military parts with an Air Force senior NCO. Master Sgt. Ray Bolinger, combat controller with the 22nd

Air Force recognizes judge advocates for excellence

The office of the Judge Advocate General of the Air Force has announced the winners of the Judge Advocate General 2005 Annual Awards. Winners of the 2005 awards include: -- Kuhfeld Award for Outstanding Young Judge Advocate: Maj. Charles Plummer, staff judge advocate, 501st Combat Support Wing,

The best care in the air

Pounds wins second NCAA javelin title

Saving the best for last and using a final throw of 190 feet, 3 inches, recent Air Force Academy graduate Dana Pounds successfully defended her javelin title at the NCAA Track and Field Championships here on June 9. Defeating the runner-up by nearly 12 feet, the Lexington, Ky., native claimed her

VA data theft: Airmen may check status on AFPC Web site

All active duty, Guard and Reserve Airmen can check the Spotlight area on the Air Force Personnel Center Web site to see if their personal data was compromised in the Veterans Administration data theft. This is an additional effort on behalf of the Air Force to ensure affected Airmen are aware their

Virtual 'heavies' key to Northern Edge simulations

The days of deploying an E-3 Sentry and other command and control aircraft to military exercises may soon be a rarity. With a large crew and an aging airframe, airborne warning and control systems, or AWACS, are expensive to deploy for a two-week training opportunity. But thanks to powerful computer

Teams combine efforts to save lives

In an effort to build better relationships and save lives, the 376th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron’s Fire Department and Manas International Airport Emergency Response team joined forces and trained June 6 to 7. “We have a memorandum of agreement that allows either party to request

Training exchange strengthens ties between U.S., Argentina

A delegation from the Argentinean air force completed a weeklong visit on June 9 to the 479th Flying Training Group here as part of an international exchange program. Capt. Gustavo Pollastrelli, Capt. Juan Sabalua and 1st Lt. Roberto Montaldo, all Argentinean instructor pilots from Mendoza Air Force

Proper precautions can prevent skin cancer

Air Force health officials are reminding Airmen that simple precautions during the summer can help lower the risk of skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 1 million cases of non-melanoma skin cancers diagnosed yearly are considered to be sun-related. While short-term

CENTAF releases combined airpower summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for June 9 to 11.June 11 In Afghanistan June 10, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs conducted several strafing passes, firing cannon rounds against Taliban extremists near Oruzgan. In a second engagement, an MQ-1 Predator unmanned

Bracing for the storm

It’s hurricane season again, and Air Force bases along the Southern coastline are bracing for what many experts are predicting could be another busy summer. In 2005, four major hurricanes -- Dennis, Katrina, Rita and Wilma -- combined to produce more than $1 billion in damage to Air Force

Intel Airmen experts at puzzle solving

Predicting enemy actions in a combat zone like Iraq is like trying to put together a puzzle where not only the pieces rapidly change, but the overall picture changes moment by moment.At Ali Base, three members of the 407th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron intelligence flight spend their day

Northern Edge aims for air, sea dominance

“Our end result (of Northern Edge 2006) is to establish complete dominance in the air and at sea,” said Col. John Marselus, chief of the Joint Exercise Division, or JED, for U.S. Alaskan Command.The focus of the annual joint-service exercise is to prepare joint forces to respond to crises in the

Commando Warrior prepares Airmen for war on terrorism

Weapons tactics. Night operations. Improvised explosive devices and convoy training. Knowledge of all four areas is important.  That knowledge aids in the survival and victory of a combat unit. But that knowledge isn't inherently known by everyone in the military; it has to be learned. That's where

Medics humbled by humanitarian experience

Thirty-three active duty military, civilian and reserve medical professionals have returned home from the Sahara desert after taking part in African Lion 2006, a medical humanitarian exercise in Morocco in late May. Doctors, nurses and technicians representing obstetrics and gynecology, optometry,

Air Force announces annual Public Affairs Achievement Awards

On behalf of Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley, Col. Michelle Johnson, director of Public Affairs and deputy director of Strategic Communications here, announced the 2005 Public Affairs Achievement Awards.“My heartiest congratulations to

Rescuers go to the dogs

As Sammy sat atop Eagle Summit in February, stranded due to a snowstorm at the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race, he may have wondered to himself, “How did I get myself into this mess, and more importantly, how am I going to get myself out?” Luckily, Airmen from Eielson Air Force Base answered

CENTAF releases airpower summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for June 8.In Afghanistan June 7, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support to coalition forces taking small-arms fire near Tarin Kowt. The A-10s conducted strafing passes expending cannon rounds, successfully

Tech, master promotion rates announced

The Air Force has selected 4,613 of 23,230 eligible technical sergeants for promotion to master sergeant, a 19.85 percent selection rate; and 6,904 of 41,186 eligible staff sergeants for promotion to technical sergeant, a 16.76 percent selection rate. The master sergeant selection rate dropped 6.19

AFMC delivers capability that helps take out al-Zarqawi

The Air Force’s latest contribution to the ongoing war on terrorism took center stage June 7 when an air strike against an identified, isolated safe house north of Baghdad killed terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, head of al-Qaida in Iraq. Air Force Materiel Command developed, acquired, tested

Air Force F-16 airstrike kills al-Zarqawi

Two U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcons, supporting coalition actions in Operation Iraqi Freedom, dropped precision munitions near Baquba, Iraq, on June 7, killing al Qaida’s leader in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and other terrorists. The aircraft, assigned to U.S. Central Command Air Forces,

VA beefs up data security procedures

The Department of Veterans Affairs is revamping its data security procedures following last month's theft of a VA laptop computer that contained personal information of veterans and military personnel still in uniform, the secretary of the VA told a congressional committee. "We will stay focused on

2005 Annual Weather Award winners announced

The winners of the Air Force Weather 2005 Annual Weather Awards have been announced, recognizing units and individuals throughout the weather community  as the best in their field. Col. John Murphy, acting director of the Air Force Weather Agency, said he was honored to announce the winners and